Monitor and control module and method

ABSTRACT

A method and module for monitoring a voltage of a power cell, sampling and holding a voltage of the power cell, and balancing a voltage of the power cell. In accordance with an embodiment, an interface circuit is capable of operation in a plurality of operating modes. In accordance with another embodiment, the interface circuit is coupled to a filter section.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates, in general, to electronics and, moreparticularly, to methods of forming semiconductor devices and structure.

Power storage units are used in many applications including automotive,aerospace, airline, nautical, computer, communications, heavy equipment,remote sensing, etc. The power storage units may serve as a power supplyor a battery that provides a particular rated voltage to drive anelectrical load. The power storage units may be comprised of a number ofindividual battery cells that are connected in parallel or in series.The lifetime of the battery is strongly dependent on the way in whichthe battery is charged and discharged and will be reduced byover-charging the cells or over-discharging the cells. In addition, itis desirable to keep all the cells of a battery stack at the samecapacity. This corresponds to keeping all the cells at about the sameopen circuit voltage. Use of the battery and over-discharge of one cellwill impact the lifetime of that cell and of the battery. Batterymanufacturers are constantly striving to find better and more accuratemeasurement techniques for measuring the voltage across battery cells.Along with improving measurement techniques, battery manufacturers aresearching for ways to balance the cell voltages within a battery stack.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a circuit and a method formonitoring and balancing the voltage of a battery stack and the voltagesof the cells within a battery stack. It would of further advantage forthe circuit and method to be cost efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from a reading of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing figures, in which like reference charactersdesignate like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a battery monitoring andbalancing system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures arenot necessarily to scale, and the same reference characters in differentfigures denote the same elements. Additionally, descriptions and detailsof well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of thedescription. As used herein current carrying electrode means an elementof a device that carries current through the device such as a source ora drain of an MOS transistor or an emitter or a collector of a bipolartransistor or a cathode or an anode of a diode, and a control electrodemeans an element of the device that controls current flow through thedevice such as a gate of an MOS transistor or a base of a bipolartransistor. Although the devices are explained herein as certainn-channel or p-channel devices, or certain n-type or p-type dopedregions, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatcomplementary devices are also possible in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the words during, while, and when as used herein are not exactterms that mean an action takes place instantly upon an initiatingaction but that there may be some small but reasonable delay, such as apropagation delay, between the reaction that is initiated by the initialaction and the initial action. The use of the words approximately,about, or substantially means that a value of an element has a parameterthat is expected to be very close to a stated value or position.However, as is well known in the art there are always minor variancesthat prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. It iswell established in the art that variances of up to about ten percent(10%) (and up to twenty percent (20%) for semiconductor dopingconcentrations) are regarded as reasonable variances from the ideal goalof exactly as described.

It should be noted that a logic zero voltage level (V_(L)) is alsoreferred to as a logic low voltage or logic low voltage level and thatthe voltage level of a logic zero voltage is a function of the powersupply voltage and the type of logic family. For example, in aComplementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) logic family a logic zerovoltage may be thirty percent of the power supply voltage level. In afive volt Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) system a logic zero voltagelevel may be about 0.8 volts, whereas for a five volt CMOS system, thelogic zero voltage level may be about 1.5 volts. A logic one voltagelevel (V_(H)) is also referred to as a logic high voltage level, a logichigh voltage, or a logic one voltage and, like the logic zero voltagelevel, the logic high voltage level also may be a function of the powersupply and the type of logic family. For example, in a CMOS system alogic one voltage may be about seventy percent of the power supplyvoltage level. In a five volt TTL system a logic one voltage may beabout 2.4 volts, whereas for a five volt CMOS system, the logic onevoltage may be about 3.5 volts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present invention provides a module and a method for,among other things, balancing a voltage of a component such as, forexample, a component comprising one or more power cells. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, an interface circuit isoperated in an operating mode to monitor a voltage of a first component,operated in another operating mode to sample the voltage of the firstcomponent, and operated in yet another operating mode to balance thevoltage of the first component.

In accordance with various embodiments, the module includes amonolithically integrated interface or switching network and elementssuch as, for example, a transistor and a resistor, or a resistor thatare monolithically integrated with the interface or switching network toaccomplish balancing.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor interfacing with one or more power cells is provided that comprisesmonitoring a voltage of a first power cell of the one or more powercells in response to configuring a first switching element in a firstswitching element configuration and a second switching element in asecond switching element configuration, generating a sampled voltagefrom the first power cell and holding the sampled voltage in response tothe first switching element being in the second switching elementconfiguration and the second switching element being in the secondswitching element configuration, and balancing the voltage of the firstpower cell in response to the second switching element being in thefirst switching element configuration.

In accordance with another embodiment, a module is provided thatcomprises a first switching network having first, second, and thirdterminals, a first energy storage element coupled between the first andsecond terminals of the first switching network, a first impedanceelement coupled to the first terminal of the first switching network,and a second impedance element coupled to the third terminal of thefirst switching network.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control circuit 10comprising a control module 12 connected to a filter circuit 22. Powercell monitor and control circuit 10 is connected to a power storage unit24. Control module 12 includes an interface network 16 having inputsthat are connected to or, alternatively, that serve as inputs of controlmodule 12 and outputs that are connected to the inputs of a multiplexer(MUX) 18, which has an output connected to an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 20. Power storage unit 24 may be comprised of aplurality of power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n), which areconnected to corresponding filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂, . . . , 22 _(n),respectively, of control circuit 10. Alternatively, the power storageunits may be comprised of capacitors, fuel cells, batteries, or thelike. Interface network 16 may be comprised of a plurality of switchingelements 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n), where switching element 16 ₁ hasinput terminals 16 ₁I1, 16 ₁I2, 16 ₁I3, 16 ₁I4, and 16 ₁I5 and outputterminals 16 ₁O1, 16 ₁O2, and 16 ₁O3; switching element 16 ₂ has inputterminals 16 ₂I1, 16 ₂I2, 16 ₂I3, 16 ₂I4, and 16 ₂I5 and outputterminals 16 ₂O1, 16 ₂O2, and 16 ₂O3; and switching element 16 _(n) hasinput terminals 16 _(n)I1, 16 _(n)I2, 16 _(n)I3, 16 _(n)I4, and 16_(n)I5 and output terminals 16 _(n)O1, 16 _(n)O2, and 16 _(n)O3. Inaccordance with an embodiment, input terminal 16 ₁I3 is connected toinput terminal 16 ₂I1 to form an input terminal 16 _(C)O1 and inputterminal 16 _((n−1))I3 is connected to an input terminal 16 _(n)I1 toform an input terminal 16 _(C)I(n−1); output terminal 16 ₁O3 isconnected to output terminal 16 ₂O1 to form an output terminal 16 _(C)O1and output terminal 16 _((n−1))O3 is connected to output terminal 16_(n)O1 to form an output terminal 16 _(C)O(n−1). It should be noted thatthe subscript “n” represents an integer.

In accordance with another embodiment, control module 12 is amonolithically integrated semiconductor device in a semiconductorpackage having input pins or leads 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄, . . . ,12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and 12P_((2n+1)), wherein n represents aninteger. By way of example, input terminals 16 ₁I1, 16 ₁I2, 16 _(C)I1,16 ₂I2, . . . , 16 _(C)I(n−1), 16 _(n)I2, and 16 _(n)I3 are connected toinput pins 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄, . . . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and12P_((2n+1)), respectively. Although, input terminals 16 ₁I1, 16 ₁I2, 16_(C)I1, 16 ₂I2, . . . , 16 _(C)I(n−1), 16 _(n)I2, and 16 _(n)I3 areshown as being directly connected to input pins 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄,. . . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and 12P_((2n+1)), respectively, this isnot a limitation of the present invention and they can be connected toeach other through other circuit elements. Alternatively, inputterminals 16 ₁I1, 16 ₁I2, 16 _(C)I1, 16 ₂I2, . . . , 16 _(C)I(n−1), 16_(n)I2, and 16 _(n)I3 may serve as input pins 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄, .. . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and 12P_((2n+1)), respectively.

In accordance with another embodiment, control module 12 and filtersection 22 are monolithically integrated to form an integratedsemiconductor device. In embodiments in which control module 12 andfilter section 22 are monolithically integrated, input pins 12P₁, 12P₂,12P₃, 12P₄, . . . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and 12P_((2n+1)), are absentand input terminals 22 ₁I1, 22 _(C)I1, 22 _(C)I(n−1), and 22 _(n)I2serve as or, alternatively, are connected to input pins.

Input terminals 16 ₁I4 and 16 ₁I5 of switching element 16 ₁ are coupledfor receiving control signals V26 ₁ and V28 ₁, respectively; inputterminals 16 ₂I4 and 16 ₂I5 of switching element 16 ₂ are coupled forreceiving control signals V26 ₂ and V28 ₂, respectively; and inputterminals 16 _(n)I4 and 16 _(n)I5 of switching element 16 _(n) arecoupled for receiving control signals V26 _(n) and V28 _(n),respectively.

Output terminals 16 ₁O1, 16 ₁O2, 16 _(C)O1, 16 ₂O2, . . . , 16_(C)O(n−1), 16 _(n)O2, and 16 _(n)O3 of switching elements 16 ₁, . . . ,16 _(n) are connected to corresponding input terminals of MUX 18.

Filter 22 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂, . .. , 22 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells of a power storage unit 24 andoutput terminals connected to corresponding input pins of interfacenetwork 16. Filter section 22 ₁ has input terminals 22 ₁I1 and 22 ₁I2and output terminals 22 ₁O1, 22 ₁O2, and 22 ₁O3; filter section 22 ₂ hasinput terminals 22 ₂I1 and 22 ₂I2 and output terminals 22 ₂O1, 22 ₂O2,and 22 ₂O3; and filter section 22 ₂ has input terminals 22 _(n)I1 and 22_(n)I2 and output terminals 22 _(n)O1, 22 _(n)O2, and 22 _(n)O3. Inaccordance with an embodiment, input terminal 22 ₁I2 is connected toinput terminal 22 ₂I1 to form an input terminal 22 _(C)I1 and inputterminal 22 _((n−1))I2 is connected to input terminal 22 _(n)I1 to forman input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1). Output terminal 22 ₁O3 is connected tooutput terminal 22 ₂ 01 to form an output terminal 22 _(C)O1 and outputterminal 22 _((n−1))O3 is connected to output terminal 22 _(n)O1 to forman output terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1). In accordance with embodiments inwhich control module 12 is a monolithically integrated semiconductordevice and filter 22 is formed from discrete circuit elements, outputterminals 22 ₁O1, 22 ₁O2, 22 _(C)O1, 22 ₂O2, . . . , 22 _(C)O(n−1), 22_(n)O2, 22 _(n)O3 are connected to input pins 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄, .. . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n), and 12P_((2n+1)), respectively.

Input terminal 22 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n). Input terminal 22 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 _(n).

It should be noted that the numbers of switching elements 16 ₁, 16 ₂, .. . , 16 _(n), filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂, . . . , 22 _(n), and powercells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n), are not limitations of the presentinvention.

For the sake of completeness, FIG. 2 is included to illustrate a powercell monitor and control circuit 10A comprising four switching elements16 ₁, 16 ₂, 16 ₃, and 16 ₄ connected to four filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂,22 ₃, and 22 ₄, respectively. Thus, control circuit 10A is connected tofour power storage units 24 ₁, 24 ₂, 24 ₃, and 24 ₄. Although fourswitching elements, four filter sections, and four power storage unitsare shown in FIG. 2, this is not a limitation of the present invention,i.e., there may be more than four or fewer than four switching elements,filter sections, and power storage units. More particularly, switchingelement 16 ₁ has input terminals 16 ₁I1, 16 ₁I2, 16 ₁I3, 16 ₁I4, and 16₁I5 and output terminals 16 ₁O1, 16 ₁O2, and 16 ₁O3; switching element16 ₂ has input terminals 16 ₂I1, 16 ₂I2, 16 ₂I3, 16 ₂I4, and 16 ₂I5 andoutput terminals 16 ₂O1, 16 ₂O2, and 16 ₂O3; switching element 16 ₃ hasinput terminals 16 ₃I1, 16 ₃I2, 16 ₃I3, 16 ₃I4, and 16 ₃I5 and outputterminals 16 ₃O1, 16 ₃O2, and 16 ₃O3; and switching element 16 ₄ hasinput terminals 16 ₄I1, 16 ₄I2, 16 ₄I3, 16 ₄I4, and 16 ₄I5 and outputterminals 16 ₄O1, 16 ₄O2, and 16 ₄O3. In accordance with an embodiment,input terminal 16 ₁I3 may be connected to input terminal 16 ₂I1 to forman input terminal 16 _(C)I1, input terminal 16 ₂I3 may be connected toinput terminal 16 ₃I1 to form an input terminal 16 _(C)I2 and inputterminal 16 ₃I3 is connected an input terminal 16 ₄I1 to form an inputterminal 16 _(C)I3, output terminal 16 ₁O3 may be connected to outputterminal 16 ₂O1 to form an output terminal 16 _(C)O1, output terminal 16₂O3 may be connected to output terminal 16 ₃O1 to form an outputterminal 16 _(C)O2, and output terminal 16 ₃O3 may be connected tooutput terminal 16 ₄O1 to form an output terminal 16 _(C)O3.

Input terminals 16 ₁I4 and 16 ₁I5 of switching element 16 ₁ are coupledfor receiving control signals V26 ₁ and V28 ₁, respectively; inputterminals 16 ₂I4 and 16 ₂I5 of switching element 16 ₂ are coupled forreceiving control signals V26 ₂ and V28 ₂, respectively; input terminals16 ₃I4 and 16 ₃I5 of switching element 16 ₃ are coupled for receivingcontrol signals V26 ₃ and V28 ₃, respectively; and input terminals 16₄I4 and 16 ₄I5 of switching element 16 ₄ are coupled for receivingcontrol signals V26 ₄ and V28 ₄, respectively.

Output terminals 16 ₁O1, 16 ₁O2, 16 _(C)O1, 16 ₂O2, 16 _(C)O2, 16 ₃O2,16 _(C)O3, 16 ₄O2, and 16 ₄O3 of switching elements 16 ₁, 16 ₂, 16 ₃,and 16 ₄, respectively, are connected to corresponding input terminalsof MUX 18.

Filter 22 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂, 22₃, and 22 ₄, wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, 24 ₃, and 24 ₄ of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput pins of switching elements of control module 12. Filter section 22₁ has input terminals 22 _(n)I1 and 22 ₁I2 and output terminals 22 ₁O1,22 ₁O2, and 22 ₁O3; filter section 22 ₂ has input terminals 22 ₂I1 and22 ₂I2 and output terminals 22 ₂O1, 22 ₂O2, and 22 ₂O3; filter section22 ₃ has input terminals 22 ₃I1 and 22 ₃I2 and output terminals 22 ₃O1,22 ₃O2, and 22 ₃O3; and filter section 22 ₄ has input terminals 22 ₄I1and 22 ₄I2 and output terminals 22 ₄O1, 22 ₄O2, and 22 ₄O3. Inaccordance with an embodiment, input terminal 22 ₁I2 is connected toinput terminal 22 ₂I1 to form an input terminal 22 _(C)I1, inputterminal 22 ₂I2 is connected to input terminal 22 ₃I1 to form an inputterminal 22 _(C)I2, and input terminal 22 ₃I2 is connected to inputterminal 22 ₄I1 to form an input terminal 22 _(C)I3. Input terminal 22_(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of power cell 24 ₁ andinput terminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative and positiveterminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Input terminal 22_(C)I2 is connected to the negative and positive terminals of powercells 24 ₂ and 24 ₃, respectively. Input terminal 22 _(C)I3 is connectedto the negative and positive terminals of power cells 24 ₃ and 24 ₄,respectively. Input terminal 22 ₄I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 ₄.

Output terminal 22 ₁ 03 may be connected to output terminal 22 ₂ 01 toform an output terminal 22 _(C)O1, output terminal 22 ₂O3 may beconnected to output terminal 22 ₃O1 to form an output terminal 22_(C)O2, and output terminal 22 ₃O3 may be connected to output terminal22 ₄O1 to form an output terminal 22 _(C)O3. Output terminal 22 ₁O1 isconnected to input pin 12P₁; output terminal 22 ₁O2 is connected toinput pin 12P₂; output terminal 22 _(C)O1 is connected to input pin12P₃; output terminal 22 ₂O2 is connected to input pin 12P₄; outputterminal 22 _(C)O2 is connected to input pin 12P₅; output terminal 22₃O2 is connected to input pin 12P₆; output terminal 22 _(C)O3 isconnected to input pin 12P₇; output terminal 22 ₄O2 is connected toinput pin 12P₈; and output terminal 22 ₄O3 is connected to input pin12P₉.

FIG. 3 is a circuit schematic of a switching element or section 16 _(m)of interface network 16 (described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2)connected to a power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 22 _(m) inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. It shouldbe noted that switching elements 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) in FIG. 1are comprised of switching elements 16 _(m) and that the variable m isused to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switchingelement 16 ₁ corresponds to switching element 16 _(m), where m isreplaced by 1, switching element 16 ₂ corresponds to switching element16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, and switching element 16 ₂corresponds to switching element 16 _(m), where m is replaced by n.Similarly, switching elements 16 ₁, 16 ₂, 16 ₃, 16 ₄ in FIG. 2 arecomprised of switching elements 16 _(m) where the variable m is used torepresent integers 1, 2, 3, and 4. For example, switching element 16 ₁corresponds to switching element 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 1,switching element 16 ₂ corresponds to switching element 16 _(m), where mis replaced by 2, switching element 16 ₃ corresponds to switchingelement 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 3, and switching element 16 ₄corresponds to switching element 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 4.

Switching section 16 _(m) comprises switches 26 _(m) and 28 _(m),wherein each switch 26 _(m) and 28 _(m) includes a control terminal anda pair of conduction terminals. Switch 26 _(m) may be referred to as acurrent control element or a balancing switch and switch 28 _(m) may bereferred to as a sampling switch. More particularly, switch 26 _(m) hasa control terminal 26 _(m,1), a conduction terminal 26 _(m,2), and aconduction terminal 26 _(m,3). Conduction terminal 26 _(m,2) isconnected to input terminal 16 _(m)I1 and to output terminal 16 _(m)O1.It should be noted that conduction terminal 26 _(m,2) may be connectedto terminals 16 _(m)I1 and 16 _(m)O1 or, alternatively, terminals 16_(m)I1 and 16 _(m)O1 may form an input/output terminal. Switch 28 _(m)has a control terminal 28 _(m,1,) a conduction terminal 28 _(m,2), and aconduction terminal 28 _(m,3). Conduction terminal 28 _(m,2) isconnected to conduction terminal 26 _(m,3) and to terminals 16 _(m)I2and 16 _(m)O2. Conduction terminal 28 _(m,3) is connected to inputterminal 16 _(m)I3 and to output terminal 16 _(m)O3. It should be notedthat conduction terminal 28 _(m,3) may be connected to terminals 16_(m)I3 and 16 _(m)O3 or alternatively, terminals 16 _(m)I3 and 16 _(m)O3may form an input/output terminal. It should be further noted thatterminals 26 _(m,1) correspond to terminals 16 ₁I4, 16 ₂I4, . . . , 16₁I4 of FIG. 1 and terminals 28 _(m,1) correspond to terminals 16 ₁I5, 16₂I5, . . . , 16 _(n)I5 of FIG. 1.

Filter section 22 _(m) comprises an impedance element 34 _(m) having aterminal connected to or, alternatively, serving as input terminal 22_(m)I1 and a terminal connected to or, alternatively, serving as outputterminal 22 _(m)O1. Output terminal 22 _(m)O1 may be connected to outputterminal 22 _(m)O2 through an energy storage element 36 _(m). Inputterminal 22 _(m)I2 may be connected to output terminal 22 _(m)O3 throughan impedance element 34 _((m+1)). By way of example, impedance elements34 _(m) and 34 _((m+1)) are resistors and energy storage element 36 _(m)is a capacitor. Because impedance elements 34 _(m) and 34 _((m+1)) arenot limited to being resistors, they are represented by the symbol Z inFIG. 3. In accordance with embodiments in which switching section 16_(m) is a monolithically integrated semiconductor device or a portion ofa monolithically integrated semiconductor device and circuit elements 34_(m), 34 _((m+1)), and 36 _(m) are discrete circuit elements, circuitelements 34 _(m), 34 _((m+1)), and 36 _(m) are connected to switchingsection 16 _(m) through input pins 12P_((2m−1)), 12P_(2m), and12P_((2m+1)), i.e., output terminal 22 _(m)O1 is connected to input pin12P_((2m−1)), output terminal 22 _(m)O2 is connected to input pin12P_(2m), and output terminal 22 _(m)O3 is connected to input pin12P_((2m+1)).

Power cell 24 _(m) comprises a battery cell having a positive terminalconnected to input terminal 22 _(m)I1 of filter section 22 _(m) and anegative terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(m)I2 of filtersection 22 _(m).

It should be noted that output terminal 22 _(m)O1 is electricallyconnected to input terminal 16 _(m)I1, output terminal 22 _(m)O2 iselectrically connected to input terminal 16 _(m)I2, and output terminal22 _(m)O3 is electrically connected to input terminal 16 _(m)I3.

Still referring to FIG. 3, switching sections 16 _(m) operate in atleast three different operating modes including a filtering continuousobservation mode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancing mode. In thecontinuous observation operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) is monitored by configuring switching elements 26 _(m) and 28 _(m)to be opened or closed. For example, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) can be monitored by applying a control voltage V26 _(m) to thecontrol terminal of switching element 26 _(m) that is suitable foropening switching element 26 _(m) and applying a control voltage V28_(m) to the control terminal of switching element 28 _(m) that issuitable for closing switching element 28 _(m) thereby shorting outputterminal 16 _(m)O2 to output terminal 16 _(m)O3.

Closing switching element 28 _(m) shorts output terminal 16 _(m)O2 tooutput terminal 16 _(m)O3 and capacitor 36 _(m) is substantially chargedto the voltage of power cell 24 _(m), i.e., capacitor 36 _(m) is chargedto a voltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24_(m). The voltage across capacitor 36 _(m) appears across outputterminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2. MUX 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) isconfigured to transmit the voltage at output terminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16_(m)O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20. Thus, a voltage representingthe filtered voltage of power cell 24 _(m) is transmitted to ADC 20,thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24 _(m).

In the sample and hold operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) can be sampled and stored or held by applying a control voltage V26_(m) to the control terminal of switching element 26 _(m) that issuitable for opening switching element 26 _(m) and a control voltage V28_(m) to the control terminal of switching element 28 _(m) suitable forclosing switching element 28 _(m) thereby shorting output terminal 16_(m)O2 to output terminal 16 _(m)O3. Capacitor 36 _(m) is charged to avoltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24 _(m),i.e., capacitor 36 _(m) samples the voltage of power cell 24 _(m).

After sampling the voltage on power cell 24 _(m), the control voltageV26 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 26 _(m) is maintained atthe control terminal of switching element 26 _(m) and a control voltageV28 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 28 _(m) is applied tothe control terminal of switching element 28 _(m). MUX 18 and ADC 20(shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are configured so that output terminals 16_(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2 are connected to a high impedance network. Thus,the sampled voltage appearing across capacitor 36 _(m) is held. Thevoltage across capacitor 36 _(m) appears across output terminals 16_(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2. MUX 18 is configured to transmit the voltage atoutput terminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2 to analog-to-digital converter20. Thus, a sampled voltage representing the voltage of power cell 24_(m) is transmitted to ADC 20.

In the balancing operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24 _(m)can be balanced by applying a control voltage V26 _(m) to the controlterminal of switching element 26 _(m) that is suitable for closingswitching element 26 _(m) and a control voltage V28 _(m) to the controlterminal of switching element 28 _(m) that is suitable for closingswitching element 28 _(m). Accordingly, a balancing current throughimpedance element 34 _(m), switching element 26 _(m), switching element28 _(m), and impedance element 34 _((m+1)) discharges power cell 24_(m). Switching element 26 _(m) may be referred to as a balancing switchor a switch and switching element 28 _(m) may be referred to as asampling switch or a switch.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control circuit100 comprising control module 12 and filter circuit 22 as described withreference to FIG. 1, but further including the embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 22 and interface circuit 16 describedwith reference to FIG. 3. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, switchingnetworks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) of interface network 16 shown inFIG. 4 are comprised of switching sections 16 _(m) where the variable mis used to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n as described withreference to FIG. 3. For example, switching network 16 ₁ corresponds toswitching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 1, switching network16 ₂ corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2,and switching network 16 _(n) corresponds to switching section 16 _(m),where m is replaced by n.

Control circuit 100 is connected to a battery unit 24. As describedabove, control module 12 includes an interface network 16 having inputterminals that are coupled to or, alternatively, that serve as inputs ofcontrol module 12 and output terminals that are coupled to the inputs ofa multiplexer (MUX) 18, which has outputs connected to analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 20. Interface network 16 has been described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

Filter 22 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂ . .. , 22 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput terminals of switching networks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n).Filter section 22 ₁ has input terminals 22 ₁I1 and 22 _(C)I1 and outputterminals 22 ₁O1, 22 ₁O2, and 22 _(C)O1; filter section 22 ₂ has inputterminals 22 _(C)I1 and 22 _(C)I2 and output terminals 22 _(C)O1, 22₂O2, and 22 _(C)O2; and filter section 22 _(n) has input terminals 22_(C)I(n−1) and 22 _(n)I2 and output terminals 22 _(C)O(n−1), 22 _(n)O2,and 22 _(n)O3.

Input terminal 22 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n) and input terminal 22 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 ₁.

Filter section 22 ₁ comprises impedance elements 34 ₁ and 34 ₂ and anenergy storage element 36 ₁. More particularly, output terminal 22 ₁O1is connected to input terminal 22 _(n)I1 through impedance element 34 ₁and to output terminal 22 ₁O2 through energy storage element 36 ₁. Inputterminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to output terminal 22 _(C)O1 throughimpedance element 34 ₂. It should be noted that impedance element 34 ₂is common to filter sections 22 ₁ and 22 ₂. By way of example, impedanceelements 34 ₁ and 34 ₂ are resistors and energy storage element 36 ₁ isa capacitor.

Filter section 22 ₂ comprises impedance element 34 ₂ and energy storageelement 36 ₂. More particularly, output terminal 22 _(C)O1 is connectedto input terminal 22 _(C)I1 through impedance element 34 ₂ and to outputterminal 22 ₂O2 through energy storage element 36 ₂. By way of example,energy storage element 36 ₂ is a capacitor. It should be noted thatsimilar shared components and connections exist between filter section22 ₂ and another filter section connected to filter section 22 ₂ asexist between filter section 22 ₁ and filter section 22 ₂. For the sakeof clarity, not all components of filter section 22 ₂ are shown.

Filter section 22 _(n) comprises impedance elements 34 _(n) and 34_((n+1)) and energy storage element 36 _(n). More particularly, outputterminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) is connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1)through impedance element 34 _(n) and to output terminal 22 _(n)O2through energy storage element 36 _(n). Output terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) isalso connected to input pin 12P_((2n−1)). Input terminal 22 _(n)I2 isconnected to output terminal 22 _(n)O3 through impedance element 34_((n+1)). By way of example, impedance elements 34 _(n) and 34 _((n+1))are resistors and energy storage element 36 _(n) is a capacitor. Becauseimpedance elements 34 _(n) and 34 _((n+1)) are not limited to beingresistors, they are designated by the symbol Z in FIG. 4, i.e., they canbe other types of impedance elements. Interface network 16 of FIG. 4that is comprised of switching sections 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n)operate in at least three different operating modes including afiltering continuous observation mode, a sample and hold mode, and abalancing mode. The operating modes of interface circuit 16 have beendescribed with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 16 _(m) ofinterface network 16 (described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2)connected to a power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 22 _(m) inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. It shouldbe noted that switching networks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) in FIG. 1are comprised of switching sections 16 _(m) and that the variable m isused to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switchingnetwork 16 ₁ corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m isreplaced by 1, switching network 16 ₂ corresponds to switching section16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 16 _(n)corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by n.Switching section 16 _(m) of FIG. 5 is similar to switching section 16_(m) of FIG. 3, except that one of the terminals of capacitor 36 _(m) isnot connected to input pin 12P_((2m−1)). Thus, capacitor 36 _(m) has aterminal connected to input pin 12P_(2m) but its other terminal isshared with another circuit (shown in FIG. 6). As discussed withreference to FIG. 3, switching element 26 _(m) may be referred to as abalancing switch or a switch and switching element 28 _(m) may bereferred to as a sampling switch or a switch.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module 150comprising control module 12 and filter circuit 22 as described withreference to FIG. 1, but further including embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 22 and interface circuit 16 describedwith reference to FIG. 5. Control module 150 is connected to a batteryunit 24. As described above, control module 12 includes an interfacenetwork 16 having input terminals that are connected to or,alternatively, that serve as inputs of control module 12 and outputterminals that are connected to corresponding inputs of a multiplexer(MUX) 18, which has an output connected to an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 20. Interface circuit 16 is comprised of switchingsections 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) and a switching element 26A.Switching sections 16 ₁I6 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) have been described withreference to FIG. 4.

Switching element 26A has a control terminal 26A₁ coupled for receivinga control signal V26A, a conduction terminal 26A₂, and a conductionterminal 26A₃. Conduction terminal 26A₂ is connected to conductionterminal 16 _(A)I1 and output terminal 16 _(A)O1. Conduction terminal26A₃ is connected to input terminal 16 ₁I1, output terminal 16 ₁O1, andto conduction terminal 26 _(1,2).

Output terminals 16 _(A)O1, 16 ₁O1, 16 ₁O2, 16 _(C)O1, 16 ₂O2, . . . ,16 _(C)O(n−1), 16 _(n)O2, 16 _(n)O3 are connected to corresponding inputterminals of MUX 18.

Filter 22 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂ . .. , 22 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput terminals of switching networks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n).Filter section 22 ₁ has input terminals 22 _(n)I1 and 22 _(C)I1 andoutput terminals 22 ₁O1, 22 ₁O2, and 22 _(C)O1; filter section 22 ₂ hasinput terminals 22 _(C)I1 and 22 _(C)I2 and output terminals 22 _(C)O1,22 ₂O2, and 22 _(C)O2; and filter section 22 _(n) has input terminals 22_(C)I(n−1) and 22 _(n)I2 and output terminals 22 _(C)O(n−1), 22 _(n)O2,and 22 _(n)O3.

Input terminal 22 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n) and input terminal 22 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 _(n).

Filter section 22 ₁ comprises impedance elements 34 ₁ and 34 ₂ andenergy storage element 36 ₁, wherein energy storage element 36 ₁ has aterminal connected to input pin 12P_(A) and a terminal connected toinput pin 12P₂. Output terminal 22 ₁O1 is connected to input pin 12P₁.Input terminal 22 _(C)I1 is connected to output terminal 22 _(C)O1through impedance element 34 ₂. It should be noted that impedanceelement 34 ₂ is common to filter sections 22 ₁ and 22 ₂. By way ofexample, impedance elements 34 ₁ and 34 ₂ are resistors and energystorage element 36 ₁ is a capacitor.

Filter section 22 ₂ comprises impedance element 34 ₂ and energy storageelement 36 ₂. Output terminal 22 _(C)O1 is connected to input pin 12P₃.A terminal of energy storage element 36 ₂ is connected to input pin 12P₂and the other terminal of capacitor 36 ₂ is connected to input pin 12P₄.By way of example, impedance element 34 ₂ is a resistor and energystorage element 36 ₂ is a capacitor. It should be noted that similarshared components and connections exist between filter section 22 ₂ andanother filter section connected to filter section 22 ₂ as exist betweenfilter section 22 ₁ and filter section 22 ₂. For the sake of clarity,not all components of filter section 22 ₂ are shown.

Filter section 22 _(n) comprises impedance elements 34 _(n) and 34_((n+1)) and energy storage element 36 _(n). Output terminal 22_(C)O(n−1) is connected to input pin 12P_((2n−1)). Input terminal 22_(C)I(n−1) is connected to output terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) throughimpedance element 34 _(n) and input terminal 22 _(n)I2 is connected tooutput terminal 22 _(n)O3 through impedance element 34 _((n+1)). Outputterminal 22 _(n)O3 is connected to input pin 12P_((2n+1)). Energystorage element 36 _(n) has a terminal connected to input pin 12P_(2n)and has a terminal connected to an adjacent filter section. For example,in accordance with an embodiment in which there are three filtersections, index n of energy storage element 36 _(n) is 3, i.e., energystorage element 36 _(n) is identified by reference character 36 ₃ andhas a terminal connected to a terminal of energy storage element 36 ₂ offilter section 22 ₂. By way of example, impedance elements 34 _(n) and34 _((n+1)) are resistors and energy storage element 36 _(n) is acapacitor. Because impedance elements 34 ₁, 34 ₂, . . . , 34 _(n), 34_((n+1)) are not limited to being resistors, they are identifiedreference characters Z, i.e., they may be other types of impedanceelements.

In accordance with another embodiment, the polarities of the cells areswitched such that the cells have the opposite polarities shown FIGS. 1,2, 4, and 6.

Still referring to FIG. 6, interface network 16, which comprisesswitching sections 16 ₁, . . . , 16 _(n), operates in at least threedifferent operating modes including a filtering continuous observationmode, a differential sample and hold mode, and an internal balancingmode. In the filtering continuous observation operating mode, thevoltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) are monitored byconfiguring switching elements 26 ₁, . . . , 26 _(n) to be opened andswitching elements 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n), and 26A to be closed. Forexample, the voltage across power cell 24 ₁ can be monitored in responseto MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at output terminals16 _(A)O1 and 16 ₁O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20. Thus, a voltagerepresenting the filtered voltage of power cell 24 ₁ is transmitted toADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24₁.

Similarly, the voltage across power cell 24 ₂ can be monitored inresponse to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at outputterminals 16 ₁O2 and 16 ₂O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20. Thus, avoltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 ₂ is transmitted toADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24₂.

The voltage across power cell 24 _(n) can be monitored in response toMUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at output terminals 16_((n−1))O2 and 16 _(n)O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20. Thus, avoltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 _(n) is transmitted toADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24_(n).

In the differential sample and hold operating mode, the voltages acrosspower cell 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can be sampled and stored or held byapplying suitable control voltages V26A, V26 ₁, . . . , V26 _(n), andV28 ₁, . . . , V28 _(n) to the control terminals of switching elements26A, 26 ₁, . . . , 26 _(n), and 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n), respectively. Forsampling, the switching elements are configured to enable the filteringcontinuous observation mode. In response to these switch configurations,capacitors 36 ₁, . . . , 36 _(n) are charged to voltages substantiallyequal to the voltages across power cell 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n).Capacitors 36 ₁, . . . , 36 _(n) serve as filters and filter the sampledsignals. It should be noted that the on-resistances (Rdson's) ofswitching elements 26A and 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n) are in series with bothterminals of capacitors 36 ₁, . . . , 36 _(n), which reduces issuesassociated with common mode noise.

After sampling the voltage of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n), theinformation is held on capacitors 36 ₁, . . . , 36 _(n) by applyingcontrol signals V26A and V28 ₁, . . . , V28 _(n) to the controlterminals of switching elements 26A and 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n),respectively, that are suitable for opening these switching elements.The switching elements 26 ₁, . . . , 26 _(n) remain open, i.e., theykeep the same state as in the filtering continuous observation mode. Inresponse to this switching configuration, capacitors 36 ₁, . . . , 36_(n) are isolated from the stack of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n),thereby holding the voltages that appeared on power cells 24 ₁, . . . ,24 _(n).

The sampled voltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 ₁ can bemonitored in response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 16 _(A)O1 and 16 ₁O2 to ADC 20.

In response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at outputterminals 16 ₁O2 and 16 ₂O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20 a sampledvoltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 ₂ is transmitted toADC 20.

In response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at outputterminals 16 _((n−1))O2 and 16 _(n)O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20,a sampled voltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 _(n) istransmitted to ADC 20.

In the internal balancing operating mode, the voltage across power cell24 ₁ can be balanced by applying control signals V26 ₁ and V28 ₁ to thecontrol terminals of switching elements 26 ₁ and 28 ₁, respectively thatare suitable for closing switching elements 26 ₁ and 28 ₁. Accordingly,balancing current flowing through impedance element 34 ₁, switchingelement 26 ₁, switching element 28 ₁ and impedance element 34 ₂discharges power cell 24 ₁

It should be noted that the voltages across the other power cells can bebalanced using a similar technique.

FIG. 7 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 16 _(m) (describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2) connected to a power cell 24 _(m)through a filter section 22 _(m) in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. It should be noted that switching networks 16₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) in FIG. 1 are comprised of switching sections16 _(m) and that the variable m is used to represent integers 1, 2, . .. , n. For example, switching network 16 ₁ corresponds to switchingsection 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 1, switching network 16 ₂corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, andswitching network 16 _(n) corresponds to switching section 16 _(m),where m is replaced by n. Similarly, switching networks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, 16₃, 16 ₄ in FIG. 2 are comprised of switching sections 16 _(m) and thatthe variable m is used to represent integers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Forexample, switching network 16 ₁ corresponds to switching section 16_(m), where m is replaced by 1, switching network 16 ₂ corresponds toswitching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, switching network16 ₃ corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by 3,and switching network 16 ₄ corresponds to switching section 16 _(m),where m is replaced by 4.

Switching section 16 _(m) has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

Filter section 22 _(m) is similar to the filter section described withreference to FIG. 3, except that it also includes balancing elements 30_(m) and 32 _(m). By way of example, balancing elements 30 _(m) and 32_(m) are a transistor and a resistor, respectively. Transistor 30 _(m)has a drain terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(m)I1 throughresistor 32 _(m), a source terminal connected to input terminal 22_(m)I2, and a gate terminal that serves as or, alternatively, isconnected to output terminal 22 _(m)O2. Output terminal 22 _(m)O1 isconnected to input terminal 22 _(m)I1 through impedance element 34 _(m)and to output terminal 22 _(m)O2 through energy storage element 36 _(m).Input terminal 22 _(m)I2 is connected to an output terminal 22 _(m)O3through impedance element 34 _((m+1)). By way of example, impedanceelements 34 _(m) and 34 _((m+1)) are resistors and energy storageelement 36 _(m) is a capacitor. Resistors 32 _(m) and 34 _(m) each havea terminal commonly connected together to form a node that is connectedto or, alternatively, forms input terminal 22 _(m)I1. The other terminalof resistor 32 _(m) is connected to the drain terminal of transistor 30_(m) and the other terminal of resistor 34 _(m) may be connected to aterminal of capacitor 36 _(m) to form a node that serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to an output terminal 22 _(m)O1. Theother terminal of capacitor 36 _(m) may be connected to the gateterminal of transistor 30 _(m) and forms a node that may be connected toor, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22 _(m)O2. Resistor 34_((m+1)) has a terminal that is connected to the source terminal oftransistor 30 _(m) to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as input terminal 22 _(m)I2 and a terminal thatserves as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22_(m)O3. Because impedance elements 32 _(m), 34 _(m), and 34 _((m−1)) arenot limited to being resistors, they are identified by the symbol Z inFIG. 7, i.e., they can be other types of impedance elements.

Power cell 24 _(m) comprises a battery cell having a positive terminalconnected to input terminal 22 _(m)I1 of filter section 22 _(m) and anegative terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(m)I2 of filtersection 22 _(m).

It should be noted that output terminal 22 _(m)O1 is electricallyconnected to input pin 12P_((2m−1)), output terminal 22 _(m)O2 iselectrically connected to input pin 12P_(2m), and output terminal 22_(m)O3 is electrically connected to input pin 12P_((2m+1)).

Still referring to FIG. 7, switching section 16 _(m) operates in atleast three different operating modes including a filtering continuousmonitoring or observation mode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancingmode. In the filtering continuous monitoring mode, a control voltage V26_(m) suitable for opening switching element 26 _(m) is applied to thecontrol terminal of switching element 26 _(m) and a control voltage V28_(m) suitable for closing switching element 28 _(m) is applied to thecontrol terminal of switching element 28 _(m). Closing switching element28 _(m) sets the gate-to-source voltage of balancing transistor 30 _(m)to substantially zero, thereby turning off balancing transistor 30 _(m).In addition, the currents flowing through filter resistors 34 _(m) and34 _((m+1)) are substantially zero, thus capacitor 36 _(m) is charged toa voltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24 _(m).MUX 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is configured to transmit the voltage atoutput terminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2 to analog-to-digital converter20. Thus, a voltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 _(m) istransmitted to ADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltageacross power cell 24 _(m).

In the sample and hold operating mode, a control voltage V26 _(m)suitable for opening switching element 26 _(m) is applied to the controlterminal of switching element 26 _(m) and a control voltage V28 _(m)suitable for closing switching element 28 _(m) is applied to the controlterminal of switching element 28 _(m). Closing switching element 28 _(m)sets the gate-to-source voltage of balancing transistor 30 _(m) tosubstantially zero, thereby turning off balancing transistor 30 _(m). Inaddition, the currents flowing through filter resistors 34 _(m) and 34_((m+1)) are substantially zero, thus capacitor 36 _(m) is charged to avoltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24 _(m),i.e., capacitor 36 _(m) samples the voltage of power cell 24 _(m). Thenthe control voltage V26 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 26_(m) is maintained at the control terminal of switching element 26 _(m)and a control voltage V28 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 28_(m) is applied to the control terminal of switching element 28 _(m).MUX 18 and ADC 20 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are configured so that outputterminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2 are connected to a high impedancenetwork. Because the gate terminal of transistor 30 _(m) is a highimpedance node, current does not flow through resistor 34 _(m) andcapacitor 36 _(m). Thus, the sampled voltage appearing across capacitor36 _(m) is held. The voltage across capacitor 36 _(m) appears acrossoutput terminals 16 _(m)O1 and 16 _(m)O2. MUX 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and2) is configured to transmit the voltage at output terminals 16 _(m)O1and 16 _(m)O2 to analog-to-digital converter 20. Thus, a sampled voltagerepresenting the voltage of power cell 24 _(m) is transmitted to ADC 20.

In the balancing mode of operation, a control voltage V26 _(m) suitablefor closing switching element 26 _(m) is applied to the control terminalof switching element 26 _(m) and a control voltage V28 _(m) suitable foropening switching element 28 _(m) is applied to the control terminal ofswitching element 28 _(m). Accordingly, capacitor 36 _(m) is dischargedthrough switching element 26 _(m) and transistor 30 _(m) becomesconductive and a balancing current flowing through resistor 32 _(m) andtransistor 30 _(m) discharges power cell 24 _(m). As discussed withreference to FIG. 3, switching element 26 _(m) may be referred to as abalancing switch or a switch and switching element 28 _(m) may bereferred to as a sampling switch or a switch.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module 200comprising control module 12 and filter circuit 22 as described withreference to FIG. 1, but further including embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 22 _(m) and switching networks 16 _(m)as described with reference to FIG. 7. Interface circuit 16 has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

Filter 22 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 22 ₁, 22 ₂ . .. , 22 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput pins 12P₁, 12P₂, 12P₃, 12P₄, . . . , 12P_((2n−1)), 12P_(2n),12P_((2n+1)) of interface network 16. Filter section 22 ₁ has inputterminals 22 _(n)I1 and 22 _(C)I1 and output terminals 22 ₁O1, 22 ₁O2,and 22 _(C)O1; filter section 22 ₂ has input terminals 22 _(C)I1 and 22_(C)I2 and output terminals 22 _(C)O1, 22 ₂O2, and 22 _(C)O2; and filtersection 22 _(n) has input terminals 22 _(C)I(n−1) and 22 _(n)I2 andoutput terminals 22 _(C)O(n−1), 22 _(n)O2, and 22 _(n)O3. Filtersections 22 ₁, 22 ₂, . . . , 22 _(n) have been described with referenceto FIG. 4. In addition, each filter section 22 ₁, 22 ₂, . . . , 22 _(n)of FIG. 8 includes a balancing transistor and a balancing resistor. Moreparticularly, filter section 22 ₁ comprises a transistor 30 ₁ having adrain terminal connected to input terminal 22 ₁I1 through a resistor 32₁, a source terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I1, and a gateterminal that serves as or, alternatively, may be connected to outputterminal 22 ₁O2. Resistor 32 ₁ and impedance element 34 ₁ each have aterminal commonly connected together to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, forms input terminal 22 ₁I1. The otherterminal of resistor 32 ₁ is connected to the drain terminal oftransistor 30 ₁ and the other terminal of impedance element 34 ₁ may beconnected to a terminal of capacitor 36 ₁ to form a node that serves asor, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22 ₁O1. The otherterminal of capacitor 36 ₁ may be connected to the gate terminal oftransistor 30 ₁ and forms a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as output terminal 22 ₁O2. Impedance element 34 ₂has a terminal that is connected to the source terminal of transistor 30₁ to form a node that may be connected to or, alternatively, serves asinput terminal 22 _(C)I1 and a terminal that may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as output terminal 22 _(C)O1. It should be notedthat impedance element 34 ₂ is common to filter sections 22 ₁ and 22 ₂.

Filter section 22 ₂ comprises a transistor 30 ₂ having a drain terminalconnected to input terminal 22 _(C)I1 through a resistor 32 ₂, a sourceterminal connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I2, and a gate terminal thatserves as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22 ₂O2.Resistor 32 ₂ and impedance element 34 ₂ each have a terminal commonlyconnected together and to input terminal 22 _(C)I1. The other terminalof resistor 32 ₂ is connected to the drain terminal of transistor 30 ₂and the other terminal of resistor 34 ₂ is connected to a terminal ofcapacitor 36 ₂ and to output terminal 22 _(C)O1. The other terminal ofcapacitor 36 ₂ may be connected to the gate terminal of transistor 30 ₂and forms a node that may be connected to or, alternatively, serves asoutput terminal 22 ₂O2. It should be noted that similar sharedcomponents and connections exist between filter section 22 ₂ and filtersection 22 ₃ (not shown) as exist between filter section 22 ₁ and filtersection 22 ₂. For the sake of clarity, not all components of filtersection 22 ₂ are shown.

Filter section 22 _(n) comprises a transistor 30 _(n) having a drainterminal connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) through a resistor 32_(n), a source terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(n)I2, and agate terminal that serves as or, alternatively, may be connected tooutput terminal 22 _(n)O2. Input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) is connected tooutput terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) through an impedance element 34 _(n).Resistors 32 _(n) and impedance element 34 _(n) each have a terminalcommonly connected together, to input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1). The otherterminal of resistor 32 _(n) is connected to the drain terminal oftransistor 30 _(n) and the other terminal of impedance element 34 _(n)may be connected to a terminal of capacitor 36 _(n) to form a node thatserves as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22_(C)O(n−1). Output terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) is connected to input pin12P_((2n−1)). The other terminal of capacitor 36 _(n) may be connectedto the gate terminal of transistor 30 _(n) and forms a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22 _(n)O2.Impedance element 34 _((n+1)) has a terminal that is connected to thesource terminal of transistor 30 _(n) to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 22 _(n)I2 and aterminal that may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as outputterminal 22 _(n)O3.

Still referring to FIG. 8, interface network 16 that is comprised ofswitching sections 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) operate in at least threedifferent operating modes including a filtering continuous observationmode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancing mode. The operating modesof interface circuit 16 have been described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 16 _(m) ofinterface network 16 (described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2)connected to a power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 22 _(m) inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. It shouldbe noted that switching networks 16 ₁, 16 ₂, . . . , 16 _(n) in FIG. 1are comprised of switching sections 16 _(m) and that the variable m isused to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switchingnetwork 16 ₁ corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m isreplaced by 1, switching network 16 ₂ corresponds to switching section16 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 16 _(n)corresponds to switching section 16 _(m), where m is replaced by n.Switching section 16 _(m) of FIG. 9 is similar to switching section 16_(m) of FIG. 7, except that one of the terminals of capacitor 36 _(m) isnot connected to input pin 12P_((2m−1)). Thus, capacitor 36 _(m) has aterminal connected to input pin 12P_(2m) but its other terminal isshared with another circuit as shown in FIG. 10. As discussed withreference to FIG. 3, switching element 26 _(m) may be referred to as abalancing switch or balancing switching element and switch 28 _(m) maybe referred to as a sampling switch or sampling switching element.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module250 comprising control module 12 and interface network 16 as describedwith reference to FIG. 6, but further including embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 22 and interface circuit 16 describedwith reference to FIG. 9. Control module 250 is connected to a batteryunit 24. Control module 250 is similar to control module 150 of FIG. 6except that filter circuit 22 further includes balancing elements suchas transistors 30 ₁, . . . , 30 _(n) and impedance elements 32 ₁, . . ., 32 _(n). More particularly, filter section 22 ₁I1 comprises atransistor 30 ₁ having a drain terminal connected to input terminal 22₁I1 through a resistor 32 ₁, a source terminal connected to inputterminal 22 _(C)I1, and a gate terminal that serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22 ₁O2. Resistor 32 ₁and impedance element 34 ₁ each have a terminal commonly connectedtogether to form a node that may be connected to or, alternatively,forms input terminal 22 ₁I1. The other terminal of resistor 32 ₁ isconnected to the drain terminal of transistor 30 ₁ and the otherterminal of impedance element 34 ₁ serves as or, alternatively, may beconnected to output terminal 22 ₁O1, which output terminal is connectedto input pin 12P₁. A terminal of capacitor 36 ₁ is connected to inputpin 12P_(A). The other terminal of capacitor 36 ₁ is connected to thegate terminal of transistor 30 ₁ and forms a node that may be connectedto or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22 ₁O2. This terminal ofcapacitor 36 ₁ and output terminal 22 ₁O2 are connected to input pin12P₂. Impedance element 34 ₂ has a terminal that is connected to thesource terminal of transistor 30 ₁ to form a node that may be connectedto or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 22 _(C)I1 and a terminalthat may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22_(C)O1. It should be noted that impedance element 34 ₂ is common tofilter sections 22 ₁ and 22 ₂.

Filter section 22 ₂ comprises a transistor 30 ₂ having a drain terminalconnected to input terminal 22 _(C)I1 through a resistor 32 ₂, a sourceterminal connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I2, and a gate terminal thatserves as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22 ₂O2.Resistor 32 ₂ and impedance element 34 ₂ each have a terminal commonlyconnected together and to input terminal 22 _(C)I1. The other terminalof resistor 32 ₂ is connected to the drain terminal of transistor 30 ₂and the other terminal of impedance element 34 ₂ serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 22 _(C)O1, whichoutput terminal is connected to input pin 12P₃. A terminal of capacitor36 ₂ is connected to the gate of transistor 30 ₁, a terminal ofcapacitor 36 ₁, and to input pin 12P₂. The other terminal of capacitor36 ₂ is connected to the gate terminal of transistor 30 ₂ and forms anode that may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as outputterminal 22 ₂O2, which output is connected to input pin 12P₄. It shouldbe noted that similar shared components and connections exist betweenfilter section 22 ₂ and filter section 22 ₃ (not shown) as exist betweenfilter section 22 ₁ and filter section 22 ₂. For the sake of clarity,not all components of filter section 22 ₂ are shown.

Filter section 22 _(n) comprises a transistor 30 _(n) having a drainterminal connected to input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) through a resistor 32_(n), a source terminal connected to input terminal 22 _(n)I2, and agate terminal that serves as or, alternatively, may be connected tooutput terminal 22 _(n)O2, which is connected to input pin 12P_(2n).Impedance element 34 _(n) has a terminal that is connected to the sourceterminal of a transistor to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as input terminal 22 _(C)I(n−1) and a terminalthat may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22_(C)O(n−1). Output terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1) is connected to input pin12P_((2n−1)). Resistor 32 _(n) and impedance element 34 _(n) each have aterminal commonly connected together and to input terminal 22_(C)I(n−1). The other terminal of resistor 32 _(n) is connected to thedrain terminal of transistor 30 _(n) and the other terminal of impedanceelement 34 _(n) may serve as or, alternatively, may be connected tooutput terminal 22 _(C)O(n−1). The other terminal of capacitor 36 _(n)is connected to the gate terminal of transistor 30 _(n) and forms a nodethat may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 22_(n)O2. Impedance element 34 _((n+1)) has a terminal that is connectedto the source terminal of transistor 30 _(n) to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 22 _(n)I2 and aterminal that may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as outputterminal 22 _(n)O3, which is connected to input pin 12P_((2n+1)).

In accordance with another embodiment, the polarities of the cells areswitched such that the cells have the opposite polarities shown in thefigures. Alternatively, the n-channel transistors can be replaced byp-channel transistors.

The operation of control module 250 is similar to that of control module150 (FIG. 6) except in the balancing mode of operation. Assuming thatthe default operating mode is the filtered continuous observation mode,whereby switching elements 26A, 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n), are closed andswitching elements 26 ₁, . . . , 26 _(n) are open, the voltage acrosspower cell 24 ₁ can be balanced by applying a control voltage V26 ₁ tothe control terminal of switching element 26 ₁ that is suitable forclosing switching element 26 ₁ and a control voltage V28 ₁ to thecontrol terminal of switching element 28 ₁ that is suitable for openingswitching element 28 ₁. Accordingly, transistor 30 ₁ becomes conductiveand a balancing current flowing through resistor 32 ₁ and transistor 30₁ discharges power cell 24 ₁.

It should be noted that the voltage across the other power cells can bebalanced using a similar technique.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control circuit300 comprising a control module 312 connected to a filter circuit 322 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Power cellmonitor and control circuit 300 is connected to a power storage unit 24.Control module 312 includes an interface network 316 having inputs thatare connected to or, alternatively, that serve as inputs of controlmodule 312 and outputs that are connected to the inputs of a multiplexer(MUX) 18, which has an output connected to an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 20. Power storage unit 24 may be comprised of aplurality of power cells or batteries 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n), whichare connected to corresponding filter sections 322 ₁, 322 ₂, . . . , 322_(n), respectively of control circuit 300. Alternatively, the powerstorage units may be comprised of capacitors, fuel cells, or the like.Interface network 316 may be comprised of a plurality of switchingnetworks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n), where switching networks 316 ₁has input terminals 316 ₁I1, 316 ₁I2, 316 ₁I3, 316 ₁I4, 316 ₁I5, 316₁I6, and 316 ₁I7 and output terminals 316 ₁O1, 316 ₁O2, 316 ₁O3, and 316₁O4; switching network 316 ₂ has input terminals 316 ₂I1, 316 ₂I2, 316₂I3, 316 ₂I4, 316 ₂I5, 316 ₂I6, and 316 ₂I7 and output terminals 316₂O1, 316 ₂O2, 316 ₂O3, and 316 ₂O4; and switching network 316 _(n) hasinput terminals 316 _(n)I1, 316 _(n)I2, 316 _(n)I3, 316 _(n)I4, 316_(n)I5, 316 _(n)I6, and 316 _(n)I7 and output terminals 316 _(n)O1, 316_(n)O2, 316 _(n)O3, and 316 _(n)O4. In accordance with an embodiment,input terminal 316 ₁I4 is connected to input terminal 316 ₂I1 to form aninput terminal 316 _(C)I1 and input terminal 316 _((n−1))I4 is connectedan input terminal 316 _(n)I1 to form an input terminal 316 _(C)I(n−1);output terminal 316 ₁O4 is connected to output terminal 316 ₂O1 to forman output terminal 316 _(C)O1, and output terminal 316 _((n−1))O4 isconnected to output terminal 316 _(n)O1 to form an output terminal 316_(C)O(n−1).

In accordance with another embodiment, control module 312 is amonolithically integrated semiconductor device in a semiconductorpackage having input pins or leads 312P₁, 312P₂, 312P₃, 312P₄, 312P₅,312P₆, . . . , 312P_((3n−2)), 312P_((3n−1)), 312P_(3n), and312P_((3n+1)), wherein n represents an integer. By way of example, inputterminals 316 ₁I1, 316 ₁I2, 316 ₁I3, 316 _(C)I1, 316 ₂I2, 316 ₂I3, . . ., 316 _(C)I(n−1), 316 _(n)I2, 316 _(n)I3, and 316 ₁I4 are connected toinput pins 312P₁, 312P₂, 312P₃, 312P₄, 312P₅, 312P₆, . . . ,312P_((3n−2)), 312P_((3n−1)), 312P_(3n), and 312P_((3n+1)),respectively. Although, input terminals 316 ₁I1, 316 ₁I2, 316 ₁I3, 316_(C)I1, 316 ₂I2, 316 ₂I3, . . . , 316 _(C)I(n−1), 316 ₁I2, 316 ₁I3, and316 ₁I4 are shown as being directly connected to input pins 312P₁,312P₂, 312P₃, 312P₄, 312P₅, 312P₆, . . . , 312P_((3n−2)), 312P_((3n−1)),312P_(3n), and 312P₍₃₊₁₎, respectively, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, e.g., input terminals 316 ₁I1, 316 ₁I2, 316 ₁I3, 316_(C)I1, 316 ₂I2, 316 ₂I3, . . . , 316 _(C)I(n−1), 316 _(n)I2, 316_(n)I3, and 316 _(n)I4 can be connected to input pins 312P₁, 312P₂,312P₃, 312P₄, 312P₅, 312P₆, . . . , 312P_((3n−2)), 312P_((3n−1)),312P_(3n), and 312P_((3n+1)), respectively, through other circuitelements.

In accordance with another embodiment, control module 312 and filtersection 322 or a part of filter section 322 are monolithicallyintegrated to form an integrated semiconductor device. An example ofpartial integration of the filter is depicted in FIG. 22. In embodimentsin which control module 312 and filter section 322 or part of filtersection 322 are monolithically integrated, input pins 312P₁, 312P₂,312P₃, 312P₄, 312P₅, 312P₆, . . . , 312P_((3n−2)), 312P_((3n−1)),312P_(3n), and 312P_((3n+1)) are absent.

Input terminals 316 ₁I5, 316 ₁I6, and 316 ₁I7 of switching network 316 ₁are coupled for receiving control signals V26 ₁, V28 ₁, and V31 ₁,respectively; input terminals 316 ₂I5, 316 ₂I6, and 316 ₂I7 of switchingnetwork 316 ₂ are coupled for receiving control signals V26 ₂, V28 ₂,and V31 ₂, respectively; and input terminals 316 ₁I5, 316 _(n)I6 and 316₁I7 of switching network 316 _(n) are coupled for receiving controlsignals V26 _(n), V28 _(n), and V31 _(n), respectively.

Output terminals 316 ₁O1, 316 ₁O2, 316 ₁O3, 316 _(C)O1, 316 ₂O2, 316₂O3, 316 _(C)O(n−1), 316 _(n)O2, 316 _(n)O3, and 316 _(n)O4 of switchingnetworks 316 ₁, . . . , 316 _(n) are connected to corresponding inputterminals of MUX 18.

Filter 322 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 322 ₁, 322 ₂,. . . , 322 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells of a power storage unit 24 andoutput terminals connected to corresponding input pins of interfacenetwork 316. Filter section 322 ₁ has input terminals 322 ₁I1 and 322_(n)I12 and output terminals 322 ₁O1, 322 ₁O2, 322 ₁O3, and 322 ₁O4;filter section 322 ₂ has input terminals 322 ₂I1 and 322 ₂I2 and outputterminals 322 ₂O1, 322 ₂O2, 322 ₂O3, and 322 ₂O4; and filter section 322_(n) has input terminals 322 _(n)I1 and 322 _(n)I2 and output terminals322 _(n)O1, 322 _(n)O2, 322 _(n)O3, and 322 _(n)O4. In accordance withan embodiment, input terminal 322 ₁I2 may be connected to input terminal322 ₂I1 to form an input terminal 322 _(C)I1 and input terminal 322_((n−1))I2 may be connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I1 to form aninput terminal 322 _(C)I(n−1). Output terminal 322 _((n−1)) 04 may beconnected to output terminal 322 ₂ 01 to form an output terminal 322_(C)O1 and output terminal 322 ₂O4 may be connected to output terminal322 _(n)O1 to form an output terminal 322 _(C)O(n−1). In accordance withembodiments in which control module 312 is a monolithically integratedsemiconductor device and filter 322 is formed from discrete circuitelements, output terminal 322 ₁O1 is connected to input pin 312P₁;output terminal 322 ₁O2 is connected to input pin 312P₂; output terminal322 ₁O3 is connected to input pin 312P₃; output terminal 322 _(C)O1 isconnected to input pin 312P₄; output terminal 322 ₂O2 is connected toinput pin 312P₅; output terminal 322 ₂O3 is connected to input pin312P₆; output terminal 322 _(C)O(n−1) is connected to input pin312P_((3n−2)); output terminal 322 _(n)O2 is connected to input pin312P_((3n−1)); output terminal 322 _(n)O3 is connected to input pin312P_(3n); and output terminal 322 _(n)O4 is connected to input pin312P_((3n+1)).

Input terminal 322 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 322 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 322 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n) and input terminal 322 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 _(n).

It should be noted that the subscript “n” represents an integer. Itshould be further noted that the numbers of switching networks 316 ₁,316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n), filter sections 322 ₁, 322 ₂, . . . , 322 _(n),and power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) are not limitations of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 322 _(m) in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. It should be notedthat switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) in FIG. 11 arecomprised of switching sections 316 _(m) and that the variable m is usedto represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switching network316 ₁ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by1, switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m),where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 316 _(n) corresponds toswitching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by n.

Switching section 316 _(m) comprises switching elements 326 _(m), 328_(m), and 331 _(m), wherein each switching element 326 _(m), 328 _(m),and 331 _(m) includes a control terminal and a pair of conductionterminals. More particularly, switching element 326 _(m) has a controlterminal 326 _(m,1), a conduction terminal 326 _(m,2), and a conductionterminal 326 _(m,3). Conduction terminal 326 _(m,2) may be connected toterminals 316 _(m)I1 and 316 _(m)O1 or, alternatively, terminals 316_(m)I1 and 316 _(m)O1 may form an input/output terminal. Switchingelement 328 _(m) has a control terminal 328 _(m,1), a conductionterminal 328 _(m,2), and a conduction terminal 328 _(m,3). Conductionterminal 328 _(m,2) is connected to conduction terminal 326 _(m,3) andto terminals 316 _(m)I2 and 316 _(m)O2. Conduction terminal 328 _(m,3)is connected to input terminal 316 _(m)I4 and to output terminal 316_(m)O4. Conduction terminal 328 _(m,3) may be connected to terminals 316_(m)I4 and 316 _(m)O4 or, alternatively, terminals 316 _(m)I4 and 316_(m)O4 may form an input/output terminal. Conduction terminal 331 _(m,2)is connected to input terminal 316 _(m)I3 and to output terminal 316_(m)O3. It should be noted that terminals 326 _(m,1), 328 _(m,1), and331 _(m,1) correspond to terminals 316 _(n)I5, 316 _(n)I6, and 316_(n)I7, respectively, of FIG. 11. Switching element 331 _(m) may bereferring to as a sampling switch and switching elements 328 _(m) and326 _(m) may be referred to as balancing switches or current controlelements.

Filter section 322 _(m) comprises an impedance element 334 _(m) having aterminal connected to or, alternatively, serving as input terminal 322_(m)I1 and a terminal connected to or, alternatively, serving as outputterminal 322 _(m)O1. Output terminal 322 _(m)O1 may be connected tooutput terminal 322 _(m)O2 through an energy storage element 336 _(m).Input terminal 322 _(m)I2 may be connected to an output terminal 322_(m)O3 through an impedance element 334 _((m+1)). By way of example,impedance elements 334 _(m) and 334 _((m+1)) are resistors and energystorage element 336 _(m) is a capacitor. In accordance with embodimentsin which switching section 316 _(m) is a monolithically integratedsemiconductor device or a portion of a monolithically integratedsemiconductor device and circuit elements 334 _(m), 334 _((m+1)), and336 _(m) are discrete circuit elements, circuit elements 334 _(m), 336_(m), and 334 _((m+1)) are connected to switching section 316 _(m)through input pins 312P_((3m−2)), 312P_(3m), and 312P_((3m+1)) i.e.,output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is connected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)),output terminal 322 _(m)O2 is connected to input pin 312P₃ m, and outputterminal 322 _(m)O3 is connected to input pin 312P_((3m+1)). Input pin312P_((3m−1)) may not be connected to another circuit element. Inaccordance with another embodiment, the filter can be partially or fullyintegrated monolithically and the output pins will change accordingly.Because impedance elements are not limited to being resistors they areidentified by the symbol Z, i.e., they can be other types of impedanceelements.

Power cell 24 _(m) comprises a battery cell having a positive terminalconnected to input terminal 322 _(m)I1 of filter section 22 _(m) and anegative terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(m)I2 of filtersection 322 _(m).

It should be noted that output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is electricallyconnected to input terminal 316 _(m)I1 through input pin 312P_((3m−2)),output terminal 322 _(m)O2 is electrically connected to input terminal316 _(m)I3 through input pin 312P_(3m), and output terminal 322 _(m)O3is electrically connected to input terminal 316 _(m)I4 through input pin312P_((3m+1)).

Still referring to FIG. 12, switching sections 316 _(m) operate in atleast three different operating modes including a filtering continuousobservation mode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancing mode. In thefiltering continuous observation operating mode, the voltage acrosspower cell 24 _(m) is monitored by applying control voltages V326 _(m)and V328 _(m) to the control terminals of switching elements 326 _(m)and 328 _(m), respectively, that are suitable for opening theseswitching elements and applying a control voltage V331 _(m) to thecontrol terminal of switching element 331 _(m) that is suitable forclosing this switching element. Thus, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) appears at output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3. MUX 18(shown in FIG. 11) is configured to transmit the voltage at outputterminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3 to analog-to-digital converter 20.Thus, a voltage representing the filtered voltage of power cell 24 _(m)is transmitted to ADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltageacross power cell 24 _(m).

In the sample and hold operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) can be sampled and stored or held by applying control voltages V326_(m) and V328 _(m) to the control terminals of switching elements 326_(m) and 328 _(m), respectively, that are suitable for opening theseswitching elements and applying a control voltage V331 _(m) to thecontrol terminal of switching element 331 _(m) that is suitable forclosing this switching element. Capacitor 336 _(m) is charged to avoltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24 _(m),i.e., capacitor 336 _(m) samples the voltage of power cell 24 _(m).

After sampling the voltage on power cell 24 _(m), the control voltageV331 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 331 _(m) is applied tothe control terminal of switching element 331 _(m) whereas controlvoltages V326 _(m) and V328 _(m) suitable for maintaining switchingelements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m) in an open configuration are maintainedat the control terminals of switching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m).Thus, the sampled voltage appearing across capacitor 336 _(m) is heldand appears across output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3. MUX 18 isconfigured to transmit the voltage at output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and316 _(m)O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltage representing the sample and holdvoltage of power cell 24 _(m) is transmitted to ADC 20.

In the balancing operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24 _(m)can be balanced by applying control voltages V326 _(m) and V328 _(m) tothe control terminals of switching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m),respectively, that are suitable for closing switching elements 326 _(m)and 328 _(m). Accordingly, a balancing current flowing through impedanceelement 334 _(m), switching element 326 _(m), switching element 328 _(m)and impedance element 334 _((m+1)) discharges power cell 24 _(m).Similar to switching elements 26 _(m) and 28 _(m) of FIG. 3, switchingelement 326 _(m) may be referred to as a balancing switching element ora balancing switch and switching element 331 _(m) may be referred to asa sampling switching element or a sampling switch.

It should be noted that switching element 328 _(m) is an optionalelement and in accordance with embodiments in which switching element328 _(m) is absent output terminal 316 _(m)O2 is shorted to outputterminal 316 _(m)O4.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control circuit350 comprising control module 312 and filter circuit 322 as describedwith reference to FIG. 11, but further including the embodiments ofcircuit implementations of filter circuit 322 and interface circuit 316described with reference to FIG. 12. Similar to the embodiment of FIG.11, switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) of interfacenetwork 316 shown in FIG. 13 are comprised of switching sections 316_(m) where the variable m is used to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , nas described with reference to FIG. 12. For example, switching network316 ₁ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by1, switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m),where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 316, corresponds toswitching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by n.

Control circuit 350 is connected to a battery unit 24. As describedabove, control module 312 includes an interface network 316 having inputterminals that are coupled to or, alternatively, that serve as inputs ofcontrol module 312 and output terminals that are coupled to the inputsof a multiplexer (MUX) 18, which has outputs connected to an ADC 20.

Switching network 316 ₁ comprises switching elements 326 ₁, 328 ₁, and331 ₁, wherein each switching element 326 ₁, 328 ₁, and 331 ₁ includes acontrol terminal and a pair of conduction terminals. More particularly,switching element 326 ₁ has a control terminal 326 _(1,1), a conductionterminal 326 _(1,2), and a conduction terminal 326 _(1,3). Conductionterminal 326 _(1,2) may be connected to terminals 316 ₁I1 and 316 ₁O1or, alternatively, terminals 316 ₁I1 and 316 ₁O1 may form aninput/output terminal. Switching element 328 ₁ has a control terminal328 _(1,1) a conduction terminal 328 _(1,2), and a conduction terminal328 _(1,3). Conduction terminal 328 _(1,2) is connected to conductionterminal 326 _(1,3) and to terminals 316 ₁I2 and 316 ₁O2. Conductionterminal 328 _(1,3) is connected to input terminal 316 _(C)I1 and tooutput terminal 316 _(C)O1. Conduction terminal 328 _(1,3) may beconnected to terminals 316 _(C)I1 and 316 _(C)O1 or alternatively,terminals 316 _(C)I1 and 316 _(C)O1 may form an input/output terminal.Conduction terminal 331 _(1,2) is connected to input terminal 316 ₁I3and to output terminal 316 _(m)O3. It should be noted that terminals 326_(1,1), 328 _(1,1), and 331 _(1,1) correspond to terminals 316 ₁I5, 316₁I6, and 316 ₁I7, respectively, of FIG. 11.

Switching network 316 ₂ comprises switching elements 326 ₂, 328 ₂, and331 ₂, wherein each switching element 326 ₂, 328 ₂, and 331 ₂ includes acontrol terminal and a pair of conduction terminals. More particularly,switching element 326 ₂ has a control terminal 326 _(2,1), a conductionterminal 326 _(2,2), and a conduction terminal 326 _(2,3). Conductionterminal 326 _(2,2) may be connected to terminals 316 _(C)I1 and 316_(C)O1 or, alternatively, terminals 316 _(C)I1 and 316 _(C)O1 may forman input/output terminal. Switching element 328 ₂ has a control terminal328 _(2,1), a conduction terminal 328 _(2,2), and a conduction terminal328 _(2,3). Conduction terminal 328 _(2,2) is connected to conductionterminal 326 _(2,3) and to terminals 316 ₂I2 and 316 ₂O2. Conductionterminal 331 _(2,2) is connected to input terminal 316 ₂I3 and to outputterminal 316 ₂O3. Conduction terminals 328 _(2,3) and 331 _(2,3) areconnected with the switching network 316 _(n) described below. It shouldbe noted that similar shared components and connections exist betweenswitching network 316 ₂ and a switching section connected to switchingnetwork 316 ₂ as exist between switching network 316 ₁ and switchingnetwork 316 ₂. For the sake of clarity, not all components of switchingnetwork 316 ₂ are shown.

Switching network 316 _(n) comprises switching elements 326 _(n), 328_(n), and 331 _(n), wherein each switching element 326 _(n), 328_(n),and 331 _(n) includes a control terminal and a pair of conductionterminals. More particularly, switching element 326 _(n) has a controlterminal 326 _(n,1), a conduction terminal 326 _(n,2), and a conductionterminal 326 _(n,3). Conduction terminal 326 _(n,2) may be connected toterminals 316 _(C)I(n−1) and 316 _(C)O(n−1) or, alternatively, terminals316 _(C)I(n−1) and 316 _(C)O(n−1) may form an input/output terminal.Switching element 328 _(n) has a control terminal 328 _(n,1), aconduction terminal 328 _(n,2), and a conduction terminal 328 _(n,3).Conduction terminal 328 _(n,2) is connected to conduction terminal 326_(n,3) and to terminals 316 _(n)I2 and 316 _(n)O2. Conduction terminal328 _(n,3) is connected to input terminal 316 ₁I4 and to output terminal316 _(n)O4. Conduction terminal 328 _(n,3) may be connected to terminals316 ₁I4 and 316 _(n)O4 or alternatively, terminals 316 ₁I4 and 316_(n)O4 may form an input/output terminal. Conduction terminal 331 _(n,2)is connected to input terminal 316 _(n)I3 and to output terminal 316_(n)O3 and conduction terminal 331 _(n,3) is connected to input terminalterminals 316 _(n)I4 and output terminal 316 _(n)O4.

Filter 322 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 322 ₁, 322 ₂ .. . , 322 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput terminals of switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n).Filter section 322 ₁ has input terminals 322 ₁I1 and 322 _(C)I1 andoutput terminals 322 ₁O1, 322 ₁O2, and 322 _(C)O1; filter section 322 ₂has input terminals 322 _(C)I1 and 322 _(C)I2 and output terminals 322_(C)O1, 322 ₂O2, and 322 _(C)O2; and filter section 322 _(n) has inputterminals 322 _(C)I(n−1) and 322 _(n)I2 and output terminals 322_(C)O(n−1), 322 _(n)O2, and 322 _(n)O3.

Input terminal 322 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 322 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 322 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n) and input terminal 322 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 _(n).

Filter section 322 ₁ comprises impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ and anenergy storage element 336 ₁. More particularly, output terminal 322 ₁O1is connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I1 through impedance element 334₁ and to output terminal 322 ₁O2 through energy storage element 336 ₁.Input terminal 322 _(C)I1 is connected to output terminal 322 _(C)O1through impedance element 334 ₂. It should be noted that impedanceelement 334 ₂ is common to filter sections 322 ₁ and 322 ₂. By way ofexample, impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ are resistors and energystorage element 336 ₁ is a capacitor.

Filter section 322 ₂ comprises impedance element 334 ₂ and capacitor 336₂. More particularly, output terminal 322 _(C)O1 is connected to inputterminal 322 _(C)I1 through impedance element 334 ₂ and to outputterminal 322 ₂O2 through energy storage element 336 ₂. By way ofexample, impedance element 334 ₂ is a resistor and energy storageelement 336 ₂ is a capacitor. It should be noted that similar sharedcomponents and connections exist between filter section 322 ₂ andanother filter section connected to filter section 322 ₂ as existbetween filter section 322 ₁ and filter section 322 ₂. For the sake ofclarity, not all components of filter section 322 ₂ are shown.

Filter section 322 _(n) comprises resistors 334 _(n) and 334 _((n+1))and energy storage element 336 _(n). More particularly, output terminal322 _(C)O(n−1) is connected to input terminal 322 _(C)I(n−1) throughimpedance element 334 _(n) and to output terminal 322 _(n)O2 throughenergy storage element 336 _(n). Input terminal 322 _(n)I2 is connectedto output terminal 322 _(n)O3 through impedance element 334 _((n+1)). Byway of example, impedance elements 334 _(n) and 334 _((n+1)) areresistors and energy storage element 336 _(n) is a capacitor.

Still referring to FIG. 13, interface network 316 operates in at leastthree different operating modes including a filtering continuousobservation mode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancing mode. Theoperating modes of interface circuit 316 have been described withreference to FIG. 12.

It should be noted that switching elements 328 ₁, 328 ₂, . . . , 328_(n) are optional elements and in accordance with embodiments in whichswitching elements 328 ₁, 328 ₂, . . . , 328 _(n) are absent, outputterminal 316 ₁O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 ₁O4, output terminal316 ₂O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 ₂O4, and output terminal 316_(n)O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 _(n)O4, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13)connected to a power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 322 _(m) inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. It shouldbe noted that switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) in FIGS.11 and 15 are comprised of switching sections 316 _(m) and that thevariable m is used to represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example,switching network 316 ₁ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), wherem is replaced by 1, switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switchingsection 316 _(m), where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 316_(n) corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced byn. Switching section 316 _(m) of FIG. 14 is similar to switching section316 _(m) of FIG. 12, except that one of the terminals of capacitor 336_(m) is not connected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)). Thus, capacitor 336_(m) has a terminal connected to input pin 312P_(3m) but its otherterminal is not connected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)). As discussed withreference to FIG. 12, switching element 326 _(m) may be referred to as abalancing switching element and switching element 331 _(m) may bereferred to as a sampling switching element.

It should be noted that switching element 328 _(m) is an optionalelement and in accordance with embodiments in which switching element328 _(m) is absent output terminal 316 _(m)O2 is shorted to outputterminal 316 _(m)O4.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module400 comprising control module 312 and filter circuit 322 as describedwith reference to FIG. 11, but further including embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 322 and interface circuit 316described with reference to FIG. 14. It should be noted that theembodiment of FIG. 15 also differs from the embodiment of FIG. 11 inthat input pins 312P₂, 312P₅, and 312P_((3n−1)) are left floating in theembodiment of FIG. 15. Control module 400 is connected to a battery unit24. As described above, control module 312 includes an interface network316 having input terminals that are connected to or, alternatively, thatserve as inputs of control module 312 and output terminals that areconnected to the inputs of MUX 18, which has outputs connected to ADC20. Interface circuit 316 is comprised of switching networks 316 ₁, 316₂, . . . , 316 _(n) and a switching element 326A. Switching networks 316₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) have been described with reference to FIG.13.

Switching element 326A has a control terminal 326A₁ coupled forreceiving a control signal V326A, a conduction terminal 326A₂, and aconduction terminal 326A₃. Conduction terminal 326A₁ may serve as inputterminal 316A₁. Conduction terminal 326A₂ is connected to conductionterminal 316 _(A)I1 and output terminal 316 _(A)O1. Conduction terminal326A₃ is connected to input terminal 316 ₁I1, output terminal 316 ₁O1,and to conduction terminal 326 _(1,2).

Output terminals 316 ₁O1, 316 ₁O2, 316 ₁O3, 316 _(C)O1, 316 ₂O2, 316₂O3, . . . , 316 _(C)O(n−1), 316 _(n)O2, 316 _(n)O3, 316 _(n)O4, and 316_(A)O1 are connected to corresponding input terminals of MUX 18.

Filter 322 is comprised of a plurality of filter sections 322 ₁, 322 ₂,. . . , 322 _(n), wherein each filter section includes input terminalsconnected to corresponding power cells 24 ₁, 24 ₂, . . . , 24 _(n) of apower storage unit 24 and output terminals connected to correspondinginput terminals of switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n).Filter section 322 ₁ has input terminals 322 ₁I1 and 322 _(C)I1 andoutput terminals 322 ₁O1, 322 ₁O2, and 322 _(C)O1; filter section 322 ₂has input terminals 322 _(C)I1 and 322 _(C)I2 and output terminals 322_(C)O1, 322 ₂O2, and 322 _(C)O2; and filter section 322 _(n) has inputterminals 322 _(C)I(n−1) and 322 _(n)I2 and output terminals 322_(C)O(n−1), 322 _(n)O2, and 322 _(n)O3.

Input terminal 322 _(n)I1 is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 ₁ and input terminal 322 _(C)I1 is connected to the negative andpositive terminals of power cells 24 ₁ and 24 ₂, respectively. Inputterminal 322 _(C)I(n−1) is connected to the positive terminal of powercell 24 _(n) and input terminal 322 _(n)I2 is connected to the negativeterminal of power cell 24 _(n).

Filter section 322 ₁ comprises impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ andenergy storage element 336 ₁, wherein energy storage element 336 ₁ has aterminal connected to input pin 312P_(A) and a terminal connected toinput pin 312P₃. Output terminal 322 ₁O1 is connected to input pin312P₁. Input terminal 322 _(C)I1 is connected to output terminal 322_(C)O1 through impedance element 334 ₂ and output terminal 322 _(C)O1 isconnected to input pin 312P₄. It should be noted that impedance element334 ₂ is common to filter sections 322 ₁ and 322 ₂. By way of example,impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ are resistors and energy storageelement 336 ₁ is a capacitor.

Filter section 322 ₂ comprises impedance element 334 ₂ and energystorage element 336 ₂. Output terminal 322 _(C)O1 is connected to inputpin 312P₄. A terminal of energy storage element 336 ₂ is connected toinput pin 312P₃ and the other terminal of capacitor 336 ₂ is connectedto input pin 312P₆. By way of example, impedance element 334 ₂ is aresistor and energy storage element 336 ₂ is a capacitor. It should benoted that similar shared components and connections exist betweenfilter section 322 ₂ and another filter section connected to filtersection 322 ₂ as exist between filter section 322 ₁ and filter section322 ₂. For the sake of clarity, not all components of filter section 322₂ are shown.

Filter section 322 _(n) comprises impedance elements 334 _(n) and 334_((n+1)) and energy storage element 336 _(n). Output terminal 322_(C)O(n−1) is connected to input pin 312P_((3n−2)). Input terminal 322_(C)I(n−1) is connected to output terminal 322 _(C)O(n−1) throughimpedance element 334 _(n). Input terminal 322 _(n)I2 is connected tooutput terminal 322 _(n)O3 through impedance element 334 _((n+1)). Aterminal of energy storage element 336 _(n) is connected to input pin312P₆ and the other terminal of energy storage element 336 _(n) isconnected to input pin 312P_(3n). By way of example, impedance elements334 _(n) and 334 _((n+1)) are resistors and energy storage element 336_(n) is a capacitor.

In accordance with another embodiment, the polarities of the cells areswitched such that the cells have the opposite polarities shown in thefigures.

Still referring to FIG. 15, switching networks 316 ₁, . . . , 316 _(n)operate in at least three different operating modes including afiltering continuous observation mode, a sample and hold mode, and aninternal balancing mode. As discussed above, the operating mode may beselected in accordance with the states of switching elements 326A, 326₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n), and 331 ₁, . . . , 331_(n), i.e., combinations in which these switching elements are opened orclosed.

In the filtering continuous observation operating mode, the voltagesacross power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) are monitored by configuringswitching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), and 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n),to be opened and switching elements 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n), and 326A tobe closed. For example, the voltage across power cell 24 ₁ can bemonitored in response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 316 _(A)O1 and 316 ₁O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltagerepresenting the filtered voltage of power cell 24 ₁ is transmitted toADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24₁. Similarly, the voltage across power cell 24 ₂ can be monitored inresponse to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltage at outputterminals 316 ₁O3 and 316 ₂O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltage representingthe filtered voltage of power cell 24 ₂ is transmitted to ADC 20,thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24 ₂. Thevoltage across power cell 24 _(n) can be monitored in response to MUX 18being configured to transmit the voltage at output terminals 316_((n−1))O3 and 316 _(n)O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltage representing thefiltered voltage of power cell 24 _(n) is transmitted to ADC 20, therebyobserving or monitoring the voltage across power cell 24 _(n).

In the differential sample and hold operating mode, the voltages acrosspower cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can be sampled and stored or held byapplying proper control voltages V326A, V326 ₁, . . . , V326 _(n), V328₁, . . . , V328 _(n) and V331 ₁, . . . , V331 _(n) to the controlterminals of switching elements 326A, 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, .. . , 328 _(n) and 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n), respectively. For sampling,the switching elements are configured to enable the filtering continuousobservation mode. In response to these switching element configurations,capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) are charged to voltages substantiallyequal to the voltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) i.e.,capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) sample the voltages of power cells 24₁, . . . , 24 _(n). Capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) serve as filtersand filter the sampled signals. It should be noted that theon-resistances (Rdson's) of switching elements 326A and 331 ₁, . . . ,331 _(n), are in series with both terminals of capacitors 336 ₁, . . . ,336 _(n), which reduces issues associated with common mode noise.

After sampling the voltages of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n), theinformation is held on capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) by applyingcontrol signals V326A and V331 ₁, . . . , V331 _(n) to the controlterminals of switching elements 326 _(A) and 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n),respectively, that are suitable for opening these switching elements.The switching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n) and 328 ₁, . . . , 328_(n) remain open, i.e., they keep the same state as in the filteringcontinuous observation mode. In response to this switching elementconfiguration, capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) are isolated from thestack of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n), thereby holding the voltagesthat appeared on power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n).

The sampled voltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 ₁ can bemonitored in response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 316 _(A)O1 and 316 ₁O3 to the analog-to-digitalconverter 20. In response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit thevoltage at output terminals 316 ₁O3 and 316 ₂O3 to ADC 20, a sampledvoltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 ₂ is transmitted toADC 20. In response to MUX 18 being configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 316 _((n−1))O3 and 316 _(n)O3 to ADC 20, a sampledvoltage representing the voltage of power cell 24 _(n) is transmitted toADC 20.

In the internal balancing operating mode, switching elements 331 ₁, . .. , 331 _(n) and 362A are opened or closed while the voltage acrosspower cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) is balanced using switching elements326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n) and 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n) in a similar manneras described with reference to FIG. 6 and switching elements 26 ₁, . . ., 26 _(n) and 28 ₁, . . . , 28 _(n).

It should be noted that switching elements 328 ₁, 328 ₂, . . . , 328_(n) are optional elements and in accordance with embodiments in whichswitching elements 328 ₁, 328 ₂, . . . , 328 _(n) are absent, outputterminal 316 ₁O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 ₁O4, output terminal316 ₂O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 ₂O4, and output terminal 316_(n)O2 is shorted to output terminal 316 _(n)O4, respectively.

FIG. 16 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 through a filter section 322 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that switchingnetworks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) in FIGS. 13, 15, and 17 arecomprised of switching sections 316 _(m) and that the variable m is usedto represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switching network316 ₁ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by1, switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m),where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 316 _(n) corresponds toswitching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by n.

Switching section 316 _(m) has been described with reference to FIG. 12.By way of example, switching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m) form asimple transistor pre-driver circuit but they can be replaced by anyother pre-driver circuit capable of driving an external balancingelement of any polarity.

Filter section 322 _(m) in FIG. 16 is similar to the filter sectiondescribed with reference to FIG. 12, except that it includes balancingelements 330 _(m) and 332 _(m). Balancing element 330 m can be an NPNbipolar transistor, a PNP bipolar transistor, an N-channel MOSFET, aP-channel MOSFET, or the like. By way of example, balancing elements 330_(m) and 332 _(m) are an N-channel MOSFET transistor and a resistor,respectively. N-channel MOSFET 330 _(m) has a drain terminal connectedto input terminal 322 _(m)I1 through resistor 332 _(m), a sourceterminal connected to input terminal 322 _(m)I2, and a gate terminalthat serves as or, alternatively, is connected to output terminal 322_(m)O2, which output terminal is connected to input pin 312P_((3m−1)).Output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is connected to input terminal 322 _(m)I1through impedance element 334 _(m). An energy storage element 336 _(m)has a terminal connected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)) and a terminalconnected to input pin 312P_(3m). By way of example, impedance elements334 _(m) and 334 _((m+1)) are resistors and energy storage element 336_(m) is a capacitor. Resistors 332 _(m) and 334 _(m) each have aterminal commonly connected together to form a node that is connected toor, alternatively, forms input terminal 322 _(m)I1. The other terminalof resistor 332 _(m) is connected to the drain terminal of transistor330 _(m) and the other terminal of resistor 334 _(m) is connected to aterminal of capacitor 336 _(m) to form a node that serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to an output terminal 322 _(m)O1. Asmentioned above, the other terminal of capacitor 336 _(m) is connectedto output pin 312P_(3m). Resistor 334 _((m+1)) has a terminal that isconnected to the source terminal of transistor 330 _(m) to form a nodethat may be connected to or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 322_(m)I2 and a terminal that serves as or, alternatively, is connected tooutput terminal 322 _(m)O4.

Power cell 24 _(m) comprises a battery cell having a positive terminalconnected to input terminal 322 _(m)I1 of filter section 322 _(m) and anegative terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(m)I2 of filtersection 322 _(m).

It should be noted that output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is electricallyconnected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)), output terminal 322 _(m)O2 iselectrically connected to input pin 312P_((3m−1)), and output terminal322 _(m)O4 is electrically connected to input pin 312P_((3m+1)).

Still referring to FIG. 16, switching section 316 _(m) operates in atleast three different operating modes including a filtering continuousmonitoring or observation mode, a sample and hold mode, and a balancingmode. In the filtering continuous observation operating mode, thevoltage across power cell 24 _(m) is monitored by applying controlvoltage V326 _(m) to the control terminal of switching element 326 _(m)that is suitable for opening this switching element and applying controlvoltages V328 _(m) and V331 _(m) to the control terminals of switchingelements 328 _(m) and 331 _(m), respectively, that are suitable forclosing these switching elements. Thus, the filtered voltage acrosspower cell 24 _(m) appears at output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316_(m)O3. MUX 18 (shown in FIG. 11) is configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltagerepresenting the filtered voltage of power cell 24 _(m) is transmittedto ADC 20, thereby observing or monitoring the voltage across power cell24 _(m).

In the sample and hold operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24_(m) can be sampled and stored or held by applying a control voltageV326 _(m) to the control terminal of switching element 326 _(m) that issuitable for opening this switching element and applying controlvoltages V328 _(m) and V331 _(m) to the control terminals of switchingelements 328 _(m) and 331 _(m), respectively, that are suitable forclosing these switching elements. Capacitor 336 _(m) is charged to avoltage substantially equal to the voltage across power cell 24 _(m),i.e., capacitor 336 _(m) samples the voltage of power cell 24 _(m).

After sampling the voltage on power cell 24 _(m), the control voltageV331 _(m) suitable for opening switching element 331 _(m) is applied tothe control terminal of switching element 331 _(m) whereas controlvoltages V326 _(m) and V328 _(m) suitable for maintaining switchingelements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m) in open and closed configurations,respectively, are maintained at the control terminals of switchingelements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m). Thus, the sampled voltage appearingacross capacitor 336 _(m) is held and appears across output terminals316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3. MUX 18 is configured to transmit the voltageat output terminals 316 _(m)O1 and 316 _(m)O3 to ADC 20. Thus, a voltagerepresenting the sample and hold voltage of power cell 24 _(m) istransmitted to ADC 20.

In the balancing operating mode, the voltage across power cell 24 _(m)can be balanced by applying control voltages V326 _(m) and V328 _(m) tothe control terminals of switching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m),respectively, that are suitable for closing switching element 326 _(m)and opening switching element 328 _(m). Accordingly, a balancing currentflowing through impedance element 332 _(m) and transistor 330 _(m)discharges power cell 24 _(m). As discussed with reference to FIG. 12,switching element 326 _(m) may be referred to as a balancing switchingelement and switching element 331 _(m) may be referred to as a samplingswitching element.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module450 comprising control module 312 and filter circuit 322 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 11 and 16, but further including embodiments ofcircuit implementations of filter circuit 322 and interface circuit 316described with reference to FIG. 16. Control module 450 is connected toa battery unit 24. Control module 450 is similar to control module 350except that control module 450 includes balancing structures 330 ₁, 330₂, . . . , 330 _(n), and balancing structures 332 ₁, 332 ₂, . . . , 332_(n). More particularly and following from the description of controlmodule 350 described with reference to FIG. 13, transistor 330 ₁ has adrain terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I1 through resistor332 ₁, a source terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(C) I1, and agate terminal that is connected to input pin 312P₂. Output terminal 322₁O1 is connected to input terminal 322 ₁I1 through impedance element 334₁. An energy storage element 336 ₁ has a terminal connected to input pin312P₁ and a terminal connected to input pin 312P₃. By way of example,impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ are resistors and energy storageelement 336 ₁ is a capacitor. Resistors 332 ₁ and 334 ₁ each have aterminal commonly connected together to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, forms input terminal 322 ₁I1. The otherterminal of resistor 332 ₁ is connected to the drain terminal oftransistor 330 ₁ and the other terminal of resistor 334 ₁ is connectedto a terminal of capacitor 336 ₁ to form a node that serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to an output terminal 322 ₁O1. Resistor334 ₂ has a terminal that is connected to the source terminal oftransistor 330 ₁ to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, may serve as input terminal 322 _(C)I1 and a terminalthat may serve as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal322 _(C)O1.

Transistor 330 ₂ has a drain terminal connected to input terminal 322_(C)I1 through resistor 332 ₂, a source terminal connected to inputterminal 322 _(C)I(n−1), and a gate terminal that is connected to inputpin 312P₅. Output terminal 322 _(C)O1 is connected to input terminal 322_(C)I1 through impedance element 334 ₂. An energy storage element 336 ₂has a terminal connected to input pin 312P₄ and a terminal connected toinput pin 312P₆. By way of example, impedance element 334 ₂ is aresistor and energy storage element 336 ₂ is a capacitor. Resistors 332₂ and 334 ₂ each have a terminal commonly connected together to form anode that may be connected to or, alternatively, forms input terminal322 _(C)I1. The other terminal of resistor 332 ₂ is connected to thedrain terminal of transistor 330 ₂ and the other terminal of resistor334 ₂ is connected to a terminal of capacitor 336 ₂ to form a node thatserves as or, alternatively, may be connected to an output terminal 322_(C)O1. It should be noted that similar shared components andconnections exist between filter section 322 ₂ and another filtersection connected to filter section 322 ₂ as exists between filtersection 322 ₁ and filter section 322 ₂. For the sake of clarity, not allcomponents of filter section 322 ₂ are shown.

Transistor 330 _(n) has a drain terminal connected to input terminal 322_(C)I(n−1) through resistor 332 _(n), a source terminal connected toinput terminal 322 _(n)I2, and a gate terminal that is connected toinput pin 312P_((3n−1)). Output terminal 322 _(n)O4 is connected toinput terminal 322 _(n)I2 through impedance element 334 _((n+1)). Anenergy storage element 336 _(n) has a terminal connected to input pin312P_((3n−2)) and a terminal connected to input pin 312P_(3n). By way ofexample, impedance element 334 _((n+1)) is a resistor and energy storageelement 336 _(n) is a capacitor. Resistors 332 _(n) and 334 _(n) eachhave a terminal commonly connected together to form a node that isconnected to or, alternatively, forms input terminal 322 _(C)I(n−1). Theother terminal of resistor 332 _(n) is connected to the drain terminalof transistor 330 _(n) and the other terminal of resistor 334 _(n) isconnected to a terminal of capacitor 336 _(n) to form a node that servesas or, alternatively, is connected to an output terminal 322 _(C)O(n−1).Resistor 334 _((n+1)) has a terminal that is connected to the sourceterminal of transistor 330 _(n) to form a node that may be connected toor, alternatively, serves as input terminal 322 _(n)I2 and a terminalthat serves as or, alternatively, may be connected to output terminal322 _(n)O4, which output terminal may be connected to input pin312P_((3n+1)).

Still referring to FIG. 17, switching sections 316 ₁, . . . , 316 _(n)operate in at least three different operating modes including afiltering continuous observation mode, a sample and hold mode, and abalancing mode. As discussed with reference to FIG. 16, the operatingmode may be selected in accordance with the states of switching elements326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n), and 331 ₁ . . . , 331_(n), i.e., combinations in which these switching elements are opened orclosed.

FIG. 18 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 322 _(m) in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. It should be notedthat switching networks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) in FIG. 11 arecomprised of switching sections 316 _(m) and that the variable m is usedto represent integers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switching network316 ₁ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by1, switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m),where m is replaced by 2, and switching network 316 _(n) corresponds toswitching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by n. Switching section316 _(m) of FIG. 18 is similar to switching section 316 _(m) of FIG. 16,except that one of the terminals of capacitor 336 _(m) is not connectedto input pin 312P₁. Thus, capacitor 336 _(m) has a terminal connected toinput pin 312P_(3m) but its other terminal is not connected to input pin312P_((3m−1)). As discussed with reference to FIG. 12, switching element326 _(m) may be referred to as a balancing switching element andswitching element 331 _(m) may be referred to as a sampling switchingelement.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module500 comprising control module 312 and filter circuit 322 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 11 and 17, but further including embodiments ofcircuit implementations of filter circuit 322 and interface circuit 316described with reference to FIG. 18. Control module 500 is connected toa battery unit 24. Control module 500 is similar to control module 400except that control module 500 includes balancing structures 330 ₁, 330₂, . . . , 330 _(n), and balancing structures 332 ₁, 332 ₂, . . . , 332_(n). More particularly and following from the description of controlmodule 400 described with reference to FIG. 15, transistor 330 ₁ has adrain terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I1 through resistor332 ₁, a source terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(C)I1, and agate terminal that is connected to input pin 312P₂. Output terminal 322₁O1 is connected to input terminal 322 ₁I1 through impedance element 334₁. An energy storage element 336 ₁ has a terminal connected to input pin312P_(A) and a terminal connected to input pin 312P₃. By way of example,impedance elements 334 ₁ and 334 ₂ are resistors and energy storageelement 336 ₁ is a capacitor. Resistors 332 ₁ and 334 ₁ each have aterminal commonly connected together to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, may form input terminal 322 ₁I1. Theother terminal of resistor 332 ₁ is connected to the drain terminal oftransistor 330 ₁ and the other terminal of resistor 334 ₁ is connectedto input pin 312P₁ via an output terminal 322 ₁O1. Resistor 334 ₂ has aterminal that is connected to the source terminal of transistor 330 ₁ toform a node that may be connected to or, alternatively, may serve asinput terminal 322 _(C)I1 and a terminal that serves as or,alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 322 _(C)O1, whichoutput terminal may be connected to input pin 312P₄.

Transistor 330 ₂ has a drain terminal connected to input terminal 322_(C)I1 through resistor 332 ₂, a source terminal connected to inputterminal 322 _(C)I(n−1), and a gate terminal that is connected to inputpin 312P₅ via an output terminal 322 ₂O2. Output terminal 322 _(C)O1 isconnected to input terminal 322 _(C)I1 through impedance element 334 ₂.An energy storage element 336 ₂ has a terminal connected to input pin312P₃ and a terminal connected to input pin 312P₆. By way of example,impedance element 334 ₂ is a resistor and energy storage element 336 ₂is a capacitor. Resistors 332 ₂ and 334 ₂ each have a terminal commonlyconnected together to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, may form input terminal 322 _(C)I1. The other terminal ofresistor 332 ₂ is connected to the drain terminal of transistor 330 ₂and the other terminal of resistor 334 ₂ is connected to an input pin312P₄ via an output terminal 322 _(C)O1. It should be noted that similarshared components and connections exist between filter section 322 ₂ andanother filter section connected to filter section 322 ₂ as existbetween filter section 322 ₁ and filter section 322 ₂. For the sake ofclarity, not all components of filter section 322 ₂ are shown.

Transistor 330 _(n) has a drain terminal connected to input terminal 322_(C)I(n−1) through resistor 332 _(n), a source terminal connected toinput terminal 322 _(n)I2, and a gate terminal that is connected toinput pin 312P_((3n−1)) via an output terminal 322 _(n)O2. Outputterminal 322 _(n)O4 is connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I2 throughimpedance element 334 _((n+1)). An energy storage element 336 _(n) has aterminal connected to input pin 312P_(3n). By way of example, impedanceelement 334 _((n+1)) is a resistor and energy storage element 336 _(n)is a capacitor. Resistors 332 _(n) and 334 _(n) each have a terminalcommonly connected together to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, may form input terminal 322 _(C)I(n−1). The otherterminal of resistor 332 _(n) is connected to the drain terminal oftransistor 330 _(n) and the other terminal of resistor 334 _(n) isconnected to input pin 312P_((3n−2)) via an output terminal 322_(C)O(n−1). Resistor 334 _((n+1)) has a terminal that is connected tothe source terminal of transistor 330 _(n) to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 322 _(n)I2 anda terminal that serves as or, alternatively, may be connected to outputterminal 322 _(n)O4, which output terminal 322 _(n)O4 is connected toinput pin 312P_((3n+1)).

In accordance with another embodiment, the polarities of the cells areswitched such that the cells have the opposite polarities shown in thefigures. Alternatively, the n-channel transistors can be replaced byp-channel transistors.

Still referring to FIG. 19, switching sections 316 ₁, . . . , 316 _(n)operate in at least three different operating modes including afiltering continuous observation mode, a differential sample and holdmode, and a balancing mode. As discussed above, the operating mode maybe selected in accordance with the states of switching elements 326A,326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n), and 331 ₁, . . . , 331_(n), i.e., combinations in which these switching elements are opened orclosed.

In the filtering continuous observation operating mode, the voltagesacross power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) are monitored by configuringswitching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), to be opened and switchingelements 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n), 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n), and 326A tobe closed. The voltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can bemonitored by ADC 20 by configuring MUX 18 using techniques similar tothose described with reference to FIG. 15.

In the differential sample and hold operating mode, the voltages acrosspower cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can be sampled and stored or held byapplying proper control voltages V326A, V326 ₁, . . . , V326 _(n), V328₁, . . . , V328 _(n) and V331 ₁, . . . , V331 _(n) to the controlterminals of switching elements 326A, 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, .. . , 328 _(n) and 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n), respectively. For sampling,the switching elements are configured to enable the filtering continuousobservation mode. In response to these switching element configurations,capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) are charged to voltages substantiallyequal to the voltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) i.e.,capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) sample the voltages of power cells 24₁, . . . , 24 _(n). Capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) serve as filtersand filter the sampled signals. It should be noted that theon-resistances (Rdson's) of switching elements 326A and 331 ₁, . . . ,331 _(n), are in series with both terminals of capacitors 336 ₁, . . . ,336 _(n), which reduces issues associated with common mode noise.

After sampling the voltages of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n), theinformation is held on capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) by applyingcontrol signals V326A and V331 ₁, . . . , V331 _(n) to the controlterminals of switching elements 326 _(A) and 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n),respectively, that are suitable for opening these switching elements.The switching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n) and 328 ₁, . . . , 328_(n) do not change state, i.e. they keep the same state as in thefiltering continuous observation mode. In response to this switchingconfiguration, capacitors 336 ₁, . . . , 336 _(n) are isolated from thestack of power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n), thereby holding the voltagesthat appeared on power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n).

The sampled and hold voltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n)can be monitored by ADC 20 by configuring MUX 18 in much the same way asdescribed with reference to FIG. 15.

In the balancing operating mode, switching elements 331 ₁, . . . , 331_(n) and 362A are opened or closed while the voltage across power cells24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) is balanced using techniques similar to thosedescribed with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 20 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 through a filter section 322 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that switchingnetworks 316 ₁, 316 ₂, . . . , 316 _(n) in FIG. 21 are comprised ofswitching sections 316 _(m) and that the variable m is used to representintegers 1, 2, . . . , n. For example, switching network 316 ₁corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by 1,switching network 316 ₂ corresponds to switching section 316 _(m), wherem is replaced by 2, and switching network 316 _(n) corresponds toswitching section 316 _(m), where m is replaced by n.

Switching section 316 _(m) has been described with reference to FIG. 12.It should be noted that switching element 326 _(m) is an optionalcircuit element that is used for balancing in embodiments in whichbalancing resistor 332 _(m) is absent such as the embodiment shown inFIG. 12.

Filter section 322 _(m) is similar to the filter section described withreference to FIG. 14, except that it includes a balancing element 332_(m). Output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is connected to input terminal 322_(m)I1 through impedance element 334 _(m). An energy storage element 336_(m) has a terminal connected to input pin 312P_(3m). By way of example,balancing element 332 _(m) and impedance elements 334 _(m) and 334_((m+1)) are resistors and energy storage element 336 _(m) is acapacitor. Resistors 332 _(m) and 334 _(m) each have a terminal commonlyconnected together to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, may form input terminal 322 _(m)I1. The other terminal ofresistor 332 _(m) is connected to input pin 312P_((3m−1)) via outputterminal 322 _(m)O2. One terminal of capacitor 336 _(m) may be connectedto or, alternatively, serves as output terminal 322 _(m)O3, which outputterminal is connected to input pin 312P_(3m). The other terminal ofcapacitor 336 _(m) may be connected to other circuitry as shown in FIG.21. Resistor 334 _((m+1)) has a terminal that may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as input terminal 322 _(m)I2 and a terminal thatserves as or, alternatively, is connected to output terminal 322 _(m)O4.

Power cell 24 _(m) comprises a battery cell having a positive terminalconnected to input terminal 322 _(m)I1 of filter section 322 _(m) and anegative terminal connected to input terminal 322 _(m)I2 of filtersection 322 _(m).

It should be noted that output terminal 322 _(m)O1 is electricallyconnected to input pin 312P_((3m−2)), output terminal 322 _(m)O2 iselectrically connected to input pin 312P_((3m−1)), output terminal 322_(m)O3 is electrically connected to input pin 312P_(3m), and outputterminal 322 _(m)O4 is electrically connected to input pin312P_((3m+1)).

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a power cell monitor and control module550 comprising control module 312 and filter circuit 322 as describedwith reference to FIG. 11, but further including embodiments of circuitimplementations of filter circuit 322 and interface circuit 316described with reference to FIG. 20. Control module 550 is connected toa battery unit 24. Control module 550 is similar to control module 500except that control module 550 includes balancing structures 332 ₁, 332₂, . . . , 332 _(n), but not balancing structures 330 ₁, 330 ₂, . . . ,330 _(n). More particularly and following from the description ofcontrol module 500 described with reference to FIG. 19, output terminal322 ₁O1 is connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I1 through impedanceelement 334 ₁. An energy storage element 336 ₁ has a terminal connectedto input pin 312P_(A) and a terminal connected to input pin 312P₃. Byway of example, balancing element 332 ₁ and impedance elements 334 ₁ and334 ₂ are resistors and energy storage element 336 ₁ is a capacitor.Resistors 332 ₁ and 334 ₁ each have a terminal commonly connectedtogether to form a node that may be connected to or, alternatively, mayform input terminal 322 ₁I1. The other terminal of resistor 332 ₁ may beconnected to or alternatively may serve as output terminal 322 ₁O2 andthe other terminal of resistor 334 ₁ is connected to a terminal ofcapacitor 336 ₁ and may form a node that serves as or, alternatively,may be connected to an output terminal 322 ₁O1. Output terminal outputterminal 322 ₁O1 is connected to input pin 312P₁ and output terminal 322₁O2 is connected to input pin 312P₂. Resistor 334 ₂ has a terminal thatis connected to or, alternatively, serves as input terminal 322 _(C)I1and a terminal that may serve as or, alternatively, may be connected tooutput terminal 322 _(C)O1.

Output terminal 322 _(C)O1 is connected to input terminal 322 _(C)I1through impedance element 334 ₂. An energy storage element 336 ₂ has aterminal connected to input pin 312P₃ and a terminal connected to inputpin 312P₆. By way of example, balancing element 332 ₂ and impedanceelement 334 ₂ are resistors and energy storage element 336 ₂ is acapacitor. Resistors 332 ₂ and 334 ₂ each have a terminal commonlyconnected together to form a node that may be connected to or,alternatively, may form input terminal 322 _(C)I1. The other terminal ofresistor 332 ₂ is connected to or, alternatively, serves as outputterminal 322 ₂O2 and the other terminal of resistor 334 ₂ may serve asor, alternatively, may be connected to an output terminal 322 _(C)O1.Output terminal 322 ₂O2 is connected to input pin 312P₅. It should benoted that similar shared components and connections exist betweenfilter section 322 ₂ and another filter section connected to filtersection 322 ₂ as exist between filter section 322 ₁ and filter section322 ₂. For the sake of clarity, not all components of filter section 322₂ are shown.

Output terminal 322 _(n)O4 is connected to input terminal 322 _(n)I2through impedance element 334 _((n+1)). An energy storage element 336_(n) has a terminal connected to input pin 312P_(3n) and may serve asoutput terminal 322 _(n)O3. By way of example, balancing element 332_(n) and impedance element 334 _((n+1)) are resistors and energy storageelement 336 _(n) is a capacitor. Resistors 332 _(n) and 334 _(n) eachhave a terminal commonly connected together to form a node that may beconnected to or, alternatively, may form input terminal 322 _(C)I(n−1).The other terminal of resistor 332 _(n) may be connected to or,alternatively, serves as output terminal 332 _(n)O2 which may beconnected to input pin 312P_((3n−1)) and the other terminal of resistor334 _(n) may be connected to input pin 312P_((3n−2)). Resistor 334_((n+1)) has a terminal that is connected to or, alternatively, mayserve as input terminal 322 _(n)I2 and a terminal that may serve as or,alternatively, may be connected to output terminal 322 _(n)O4 whichoutput terminal may be connected to input pin 312P_((3n+1)).

In accordance with another embodiment, the polarities of the cells areswitched such that the cells have the opposite polarities shown in thefigures.

Still referring to FIG. 21, switching networks 316 ₁, . . . , 316 _(n)operate in at least three different operating modes including afiltering continuous observation mode, a differential sample and holdmode, and a balancing mode. As discussed above, the operating mode maybe selected in accordance with the states of switching elements 326A,326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n), and 331 ₁, . . . , 331_(n), i.e., combinations in which these switching elements are opened orclosed.

In the filtering continuous observation operating mode, the voltagesacross power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) are monitored by configuringswitching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n), and 328 ₁, . . . , 328 _(n),to be opened and switching elements 331 ₁, . . . , 331 _(n), and 326A tobe closed. The voltages across power cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can bemonitored by ADC 20 by configuring MUX 18 in much the same way asdescribed with reference to FIG. 15.

In the differential sample and hold operating mode, the voltages acrosspower cells 24 ₁, . . . , 24 _(n) can be sampled and stored or held andmonitored by ADC 20 using techniques and switching configurationssimilar to those described with reference to FIG. 19.

In the balancing operating mode, switching elements 331 ₁, . . . , 331_(n) and 362A are open or closed. For balancing power cell 24 ₁,switching element 326 ₁ is open and switching element 328 ₁ is closed.Accordingly, a balancing current flowing through impedance element 332₁, switching element 328 ₁ and impedance element 334 ₂ discharges powercell 24 ₁. It should be noted that the voltages across the other powercells may be balanced using similar techniques. As discussed withreference to FIG. 12, switching element 328 _(m) may be referred to as abalancing switching element and switching element 331 _(m) may bereferred to as a sampling switching element. It should be noted thatswitching elements 326 ₁, . . . , 326 _(n) are optional circuit elementsthat may be omitted.

FIG. 22 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316A_(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15)connected to a power cell 24 _(m) through a filter section 322 _(m) inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Switchingsection 316A_(m) is similar to switching section 316 _(m) described withreference to FIG. 14, except current control element 328 _(m), input pin312P_((3m−1)), terminal 316 _(m)I2, and terminal 316 _(m)O2 are absent,conduction terminal 326 _(m,3) of current control element 326 _(m) isconnected to conduction terminal 331 _(m,3) of switching element 331_(m), and switching section 316A_(m) further includes a filteringimpedance element Z_(f) that is connected to switching element 331 _(m).Although filtering impedance element Z_(f) is shown as being connectedbetween terminal 331 _(m,2) and terminal 316 _(m)I3, this is not alimitation of the present invention. For example, filtering impedanceelement Z_(f) may be connected between terminal 331 _(m,3) and terminal316 _(m)I4.

Accordingly, FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment comprising partialintegration of a filter impedance element with a filter resistance inthe sample and hold path. In accordance with this embodiment, theover-all impedance of the balancing path is decoupled from the filterfunction, which is beneficial for using filter section 322 _(m) of FIG.22 in embodiments such as those illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 20, and 21where the balancing currents may be high or elevated and impedanceelements 334 m and 334(m+1) are ohmic resistances having low resistancevalues. Including impedance element Z_(f) allows the use of smallerfilter storage elements 336 _(m) that are substantially independent fromimpedance elements 334 _(m) and 334 _((m+1)).

FIG. 23 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 through a filter section 322 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 23 issimilar to that of FIG. 16, wherein switching elements 326 _(m) and 328_(m) are replaced by a pre-driver 327 _(m) having an output connected tooutput pin 312P_((3m−1)) and an input connected to output terminal 316_(m)O2. Pre-driver 327 _(m) has a terminal coupled for receiving a drivesignal V_(DRIVE1) and a terminal coupled for receiving a drive signalV_(DRIVE2). It should be noted that switching elements similar toswitching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m) are included within pre-driver327 _(m).

FIG. 24 is a circuit schematic of a switching section 316 _(m) ofinterface network 316 (described with reference to FIG. 11) connected toa power cell 24 through a filter section 322 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 24 issimilar to that of FIG. 18, wherein switching elements 326 _(m) and 328_(m) are replaced by a pre-driver 327 _(m) having an output connected tooutput pin 312P_((3m−1)) and an input connected to output terminal 316_(m)O2. Pre-driver 327 _(m) has a terminal coupled for receiving a drivesignal V_(DRIVE1) and a terminal coupled for receiving a drive signalV_(DRIVE2). It should be noted that switching elements similar toswitching elements 326 _(m) and 328 _(m) are included within pre-driver327 _(m).

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, it is notintended that the invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments.Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications andvariations can be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is intended that the invention encompass all suchmodifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims. For example, the polarities of the cells may be switched suchthat the cells have the opposite polarities shown in the figures.Alternatively, the n-channel transistors can be replaced by p-channeltransistors.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitor and control circuit, comprising: aswitching network having first, second, and third terminals; and afilter circuit having first and second input terminals and first,second, and third output terminals, the first output terminal coupled tothe first terminal of the switching network and the third outputterminal coupled to the third terminal of the switching network.
 2. Themonitor and control circuit of claim 1, wherein the switching networkcomprises: a first switching element having a control terminal, a firstcurrent carrying terminal, and a second current carrying terminal, thesecond current carrying terminal of the first switching element coupledto the second output terminal of the filter circuit; and a currentcontrol element coupled to the first switching element and having acontrol terminal, a first current carrying terminal, and a secondcurrent carrying terminal, wherein the current control element isconfigured to conduct a balancing current or control an element capableof conducting the balancing current.
 3. The monitor and control circuitof claim 2, wherein the filter circuit comprises: a first energy storageelement having first and second terminals, the second terminal servingas the second output terminal of the filter circuit; a first impedanceelement having first and second terminals, the first terminal serving asthe first input terminal of the filter circuit and the second terminalserving as the first output terminal of the filter circuit; and a secondimpedance element having first and second terminals, the first terminalserving as the second input terminal of the filter circuit and thesecond terminal serving as the third output terminal of the filtercircuit.
 4. The monitor and control circuit of claim 3, wherein thefirst current carrying terminal of the current control element iscoupled to the first terminal of the first switching network.
 5. Themonitor and control circuit of claim 3, further including an impedancecoupled in series with the first switching element.
 6. The monitor andcontrol circuit of claim 3, wherein the second current carrying terminalof the first switching element is coupled to the second current carryingterminal of the current conducting element.
 7. The monitor and controlcircuit of claim 3, wherein the first current carrying terminal of thefirst switching element is coupled to the first current carryingterminal of the current conducting element.
 8. The monitor and controlcircuit of claim 7, further including a second switching element havinga control terminal and first and second current carrying terminals, thefirst current carrying terminal of the second switching element coupledto the second current carrying terminal of the current conductingelement.
 9. The monitor and control circuit of claim 3, furtherincluding: a first transistor having a control electrode and first andsecond current carrying electrodes, the control electrode of the firsttransistor coupled to the second current carrying terminal of thecurrent conducting element and the second current carrying electrode ofthe first transistor coupled to the first terminal of one of the firstand second impedance elements; and a third impedance element havingfirst and second terminals, the first terminal of the third impedanceelement coupled to the first terminal of one of the first and secondimpedance elements and the second terminal of the third impedanceelement coupled to the first current carrying electrode of the firsttransistor.
 10. The monitor and control circuit of claim 2, wherein thefilter circuit comprises: a first impedance element having first andsecond terminals, the first terminal serving as the first input terminalof the filter circuit; a second impedance element having first andsecond terminals, the first terminal serving as the second inputterminal of the filter circuit and the second terminal serving as thethird output terminal of the filter circuit; and a first energy storageelement having first and second terminals, the first terminal of thefirst energy storage element coupled to the second terminal of one ofthe first and second impedance elements and the second terminal of thefirst energy storage element serving as the second output terminal ofthe filter circuit.
 11. The monitor and control circuit of claim 10,further including: a first transistor having a control electrode andfirst and second current carrying electrodes, the control electrodecoupled to the second terminal of the first energy storage element andthe second current carrying electrode coupled to the first currentcarrying terminal of the current conducting element; and a thirdimpedance element having first and second terminals, the first terminalof the third impedance element coupled to the first terminal of thefirst impedance element and the second terminal of the third impedanceelement coupled to the first current carrying electrode of the firsttransistor.
 12. A circuit, comprising: a switching network having first,second, and third terminals; a first impedance element coupled to thefirst terminal of the switching network; an energy storage elementcoupled to the second terminal of the switching network; and a secondimpedance element coupled to the third terminal of the switchingnetwork.
 13. The circuit of claim 12, wherein the switching networkcomprises: a sampling switch having a control terminal and first andsecond terminals, the second terminal of the sampling switch coupled tothe second terminal of the energy storage element; and a balancingswitch having a control terminal and first and second terminals, thesecond terminal of the balancing switch coupled to the second terminalof the sampling switch and the first terminal of the balancing switchcoupled to the third terminal of the switching network.
 14. The circuitof claim 13, further including: a transistor having a control electrodeand first and second current carrying electrodes, the control electrodecoupled to the second terminal of the switching network, the firstcurrent carrying electrode coupled to the second impedance element andthe second current carrying electrode coupled to the first impedanceelement; and a third impedance element coupled between the first currentelectrode of the transistor and the second impedance element.
 15. Thecircuit of claim 12, wherein the switching network comprises: a samplingswitch having a control terminal and first and second terminals, thesecond terminal of the sampling switch coupled to the second terminal ofthe energy storage element; and a first balancing switch having acontrol terminal and first and second terminals, the first terminal ofthe first balancing switch coupled to the first terminal of the samplingswitch.
 16. The circuit of claim 12, wherein the switching networkfurther comprises a fourth terminal.
 17. The circuit of claim 16,wherein the switching network comprises: a sampling switch having acontrol terminal and first and second terminals, the first terminal ofthe sampling switch coupled to the first impedance element and thesecond terminal of the sampling switch coupled to the energy storageelement; a first balancing switch having a control terminal and firstand second terminals, the first terminal of the first balancing switchcoupled to the first terminal of the sampling switch and the secondterminal of the first balancing switch coupled to the fourth terminal ofthe switching circuit; and a second balancing switch having a controlterminal and first and second terminals, the second terminal of thesecond balancing switch coupled to the fourth terminal of the switchingcircuit and the first terminal of the second balancing switch coupled tothe second impedance element.
 18. The circuit of claim 17, furtherincluding: a transistor having a control electrode and first and secondcurrent carrying electrodes, the control electrode coupled to the fourthterminal of the switching network, the first current carrying electrodecoupled to the third impedance element and the second current carryingelectrode coupled to the first impedance element; and a third impedanceelement coupled between the first current carrying electrode of thetransistor and the second impedance element.
 19. The circuit of claim16, wherein the switching network comprises: a switch having a controlterminal and first and second terminals, the first terminal of theswitch coupled to the first impedance element and the second terminal ofthe switch coupled to the energy storage element; a transistor having acontrol electrode and first and second current carrying electrodes, thecontrol electrode coupled to the fourth terminal of the switchingnetwork, the second current carrying electrode coupled to the firstimpedance element; and a third impedance element coupled between thefirst current carrying electrode of the transistor and the secondimpedance element; and a pre-driver having an input and an output, theoutput coupled to the fourth terminal of the switching network.
 20. Thecircuit of claim 19, wherein the energy storage element has first andsecond terminals, the second terminal coupled to the second terminal ofthe switching network and the first terminal coupled to the secondimpedance element.
 21. A method for interfacing with one or more powercells, comprising: operating an interface circuit in a first operatingmode to filter and monitor a voltage of a first power cell of the one ormore power cells; operating the interface circuit in a second operatingmode to sample the voltage of the first power cell; and operating theinterface circuit in a third operating mode to balance the voltage ofthe first power cell.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein operating theinterface circuit in the first operating mode includes filtering andmonitoring the voltage of the first power cell in response toconfiguring a first switch to be in a first switch configuration and asecond switch to be in a second switch configuration.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein operating the interface circuit in the secondoperating mode includes generating a sampled voltage from the firstpower cell and holding the sampled voltage in response to configuringthe first and second switches to be in the second switch configuration.24. The method of claim 23, wherein operating the interface circuit inthe third operating mode includes balancing the voltage of the firstpower cell in response to configuring the second switch to be in thefirst switch configuration.
 25. The method of claim 24, whereinconfiguring the first switch to be in the first switch configurationcomprises closing the first switch and configuring the second switch tobe in the second switch configuration comprises opening the secondswitch.